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April 30, 2010
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page i
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background Information............................................................................... 1
1.2 Study Area Overview .................................................................................... 1
1.3 Purpose and Need Statements .................................................................... 3
2. Inventory of Current Conditions .................................................................. 3
2.1 Roadway System Inventory and Traffic Analysis....................................... 3
2.2 Multi-Modal Transportation .......................................................................... 4
2.3 Environmental Conditions............................................................................ 5
3. Forecast of Future Conditions..................................................................... 6
3.1 Population Growth ........................................................................................ 6
3.2 Housing Growth ............................................................................................ 7
3.3 Employment Growth ..................................................................................... 8
3.4 Future Traffic & Level of Service ............................................................... 10
3.5 Multimodal Conditions................................................................................ 14
3.5.1 Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation ........................................................... 14
3.5.2 Transit Circulation ...................................................................................... 15
4. Existing and Future Condition Findings ................................................... 16
5. Transportation Improvements ................................................................... 18
5.1 Environmental Justice................................................................................ 18
5.2 Implementation Plan ................................................................................... 18
5.2.1A Short Term Priority Program – Santa Cruz County.................................. 19
5.2.1B Short Term Priority Program – City of Nogales........................................ 22
5.2.2A Medium Term Implementation Program – Santa Cruz County................ 24
5.2.2B Medium Term Implementation Program – City of Nogales...................... 26
5.2.3A Long Term Implementation Program – Santa Cruz County..................... 29
5.2.3B Long Term Implementation Program – City of Nogales........................... 31
5.2.4A Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program – Santa Cruz County .... 34
5.2.4B Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program – City of Nogales .......... 35
5.2.5 Local Priorities for Federal/State Transportation System Projects ........ 36
6. Suggested New Revenue Approaches...................................................... 41
6.1 Additional Sales Tax Revenues ................................................................. 41
6.2 Development Impact Fees.......................................................................... 42
6.3 Public-Private Partnerships ....................................................................... 42
6.4 Districts as a New Revenue Source for Transportation Infrastructure .. 42
6.4.1 Improvement Districts ................................................................................ 42
6.4.2 Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) ...................................................... 43
7. Functional Classification Recommendations........................................... 45
8. Implementation Plan Recommendations .................................................. 47
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 1
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
1. Introduction
1.1 Background Information
The Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010 was initiated by the
Arizona Department of Transportation in cooperation with the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz
County. This plan is funded through ADOT’s Planning Assistance for Rural Areas (PARA)
program. ADOT, the City of Nogales, and Santa Cruz County have retained the consultant team
of Wilbur Smith Associates to conduct the study under the direction of a Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC).
The Nogales/Santa Cruz County region is part of the Ambos Nogales urbanized area. This area
is bi-national with most of the region located in Sonora, Mexico, and a small piece extending
into Arizona in Nogales and Santa Cruz County. Nogales and Santa Cruz County are home to
three ports of entry between the United States and Mexico: DeConcini, Morley Gate pedestrian,
and the Mariposa commercial ports of entry. The Mariposa port of entry is one of the ten busiest
cargo ports along the entire US-Mexico border.
Another mode of transportation that has a significant impact on the Nogales/Santa Cruz County
area is the Union Pacific Railroad line. This rail line runs directly through downtown Nogales
and bisects the town and the county along its north-south line. With long trains, local traffic on
any roads in the vicinity of the railroad tracks are extremely congested since there is only one
grade separated crossing in the entire county. It is located at SR-82 north of the downtown
Nogales area. This situation presents a major traffic circulation and public safety issue for the
communities.
1.2 Study Area Overview
The project study area encompasses the majority of Santa Cruz County and is more or less
centered along I-19 for the full north-south length of the county. The study area can be generally
described as:
• Bounded on the north by the Santa Cruz County/Pima County boundary line
• Bounded on the east by a line extending north and south from milepost 10 on SR-82, the
Patagonia Highway
• Bounded on the south by the US-Mexico International Border
• Bounded on the west by a line extending north and south from milepost 10 on SR-289, Ruby
Road
The study area is shown in Figure 1 – Study Area on the following page.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 2
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Figure 1 – Study Area / Public & Private Land Ownership
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 3
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
1.3 Purpose and Need Statements
This study updates the current plan entitled Unified Nogales/Santa Cruz County Transportation
2000 Plan. The local governments need a fresh look and new approach to developing their
transportation plan.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to create a useful, workable transportation system
planning document that contains a realistic and achievable program for implementing
transportation system improvements throughout the city and the county.
Need: There is a critical need for effective transportation planning to provide improved and
safer traffic circulation throughout the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County given limited
resources that takes into account, not only the special cases of traffic movements through and
around the US-Mexico border, but also the local development schemes and plans throughout the
county, and the discontinuity situation created by the presence of the Nogales Wash/Santa Cruz
River and the UP Railroad tracks.
2. Inventory of Current Conditions
2.1 Roadway System Inventory and Traffic Analysis
The majority of streets and roads in the Nogales and Santa Cruz County study area are 2-lane
undivided facilities. Of course, some of the major traffic routes like I-19 and SR 189 have four
lanes; two in each direction.
Crash data was obtained from the ADOT Traffic Records Section for the period 2003 through
2007. The crash data was analyzed to determine areas of particular concern regarding traffic
safety and to identify and program needed safety improvements and enhancements.
In terms of total traffic, the Mariposa Road interchange is almost 50% busier than the next
busiest interchanges at Ruby Road and at Rio Rico Road. The Mariposa Road interchange also
carries the most heavy truck traffic. However, it should be noted that these counts were taken in
July, which is outside of the peak produce season and thus is a low month for heavy truck traffic
overall.
The I-19 frontage roads currently, and will continue to, play an important role in the Santa Cruz
County transportation system. The West Frontage Roads between Ruby Road and Peck Canyon
are the busiest. For the East Frontage Roads, the section between Ruby Road and Rio Rico Road
is the busiest, but it carries less than half what the busiest west side sections carry.
The DeConcini and Mariposa Ports of Entry generate a significant amount of daily auto, truck,
and pedestrian traffic. The heavy truck (18-wheeler) traffic to and from the Mariposa POE has a
very significant impact on a number of roads within Santa Cruz County, particularly during the
peak January through May produce season.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 4
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Source: Nogales Transit Feasibility Review and Implementation Plan
(Draft – October 2006)
Figure 2 – Proposed Five-Route System
The Santa Cruz River and UPRR tracks are major physical barriers to east-west travel in Nogales
and Santa Cruz County. The few river crossings north of Rio Rico Drive are unpaved.
According to the Rail Crossings Study, approximately seven trains use the UPRR line daily.
The West Frontage Road north of Rio Rico Road is the only section of frontage road operating at
Level of Service (LOS) D to E (congested). The remainder of the existing frontage road system
operates at LOS A to LOS C (not congested). Most of Grand Avenue and significant portions of
SR-189 (Mariposa Rd) are operating at LOS D to F. There are also a significant number of 2
lane arterials, 2 lane collectors, and one local street operating at LOS D to F. Most, but not all, of
the potential problem areas are located in the City of Nogales. Those outside the city include the
I-19 interchange areas at Ruby Road, Rio Rico Drive, and Yavapai Drive, and additionally the
Palo Parado Road river crossing.
2.2 Multi-Modal Transportation
The pedestrian, bicycle, and transit assessment was based on review of current documents in the
Santa Cruz County/Nogales area. These documents included past transportation, comprehensive,
and general plans in the area.
Existing Pedestrian and Bicycle
Facilities
Sidewalks are limited within the I-19
corridor with most located in the City
of Nogales. There are significant
pedestrian border crossings at the
DeConcini and Morley Avenue ports
of entry in downtown Nogales, yet
sidewalks are only found along
approximately 40 percent of the
arterials and collectors surveyed for
that study. No designated bicycle
routes exist within Santa Cruz
County. Bicycles are allowed on all
roadways within the I-19 corridor
including the limited-access freeway
when alternative access is not
available.
Transit
Transit is an important service
providing mobility for those that do
not have a car, are not able to drive,
or simply choose not to drive, and is
especially important to the senior and disabled communities.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 5
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
The Nogales Transit Feasibility Review and Implementation Plan was prepared to determine the
viability of a publicly sponsored, fixed-route transit service within the City of Nogales. The
implementation plan included a system operating plan; system budget; marketing strategy; and
implementation schedule.
Rail
Currently, the Union Pacific has chosen to permit a public at-grade crossing of its tracks and
right of way where it intersects with Palo Parado Road. There are 33 crossings in the UP
database with an estimated 16 public and 16 private crossings and one international boundary
crossing. There is only one grade separated
crossing in the county located on SR 82 in
Nogales. See Figure 3 for an aerial view of the
downtown Nogales area.
Freight
In 2007, Nogales handled over 87% of US
exports leaving through Arizona POEs. In the
same time period, Nogales handled over 88%
of all imports coming through Arizona POEs.
The value of goods and freight imported and
exported through Arizona POEs is expected to
grow significantly over the next 20 years
(2030). Note that Nogales currently has the
only rail crossing of the international border
in Arizona.
Airports
There are three airports within the study area in Santa Cruz County. The Nogales International
Airport is the most significant of the three and is included in the recently completed Arizona
State Airports System Plan. The two other airports in the study area are much smaller and not
used or used very sparsely. They are the Rio Rico Airstrip and the Tubac Ultralight Flightpark.
2.3 Environmental Conditions
Nogales and Santa Cruz County are located in the Sonoran Desert, which covers 120,000 square
miles and has a minimum elevation of 2,500 feet. The mean elevation in the City of Nogales is
3,865 feet. The terrain in the study area is rugged with numerous washes and ridges generally
aligned from the southwest to the northeast. Much of the development in the area has occurred
in the flatter sloped areas adjacent to major drainage ways and floodplains. These include the
Nogales Wash that flows from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico northerly through the heart of the City
of Nogales along the east side of Grand Avenue to its confluence with the Santa Cruz River.
A significant portion of Santa Cruz County is part of the Coronado National Forest. Both the
eastern and western edges of the study area are bordered by the National Forest land. With the
Figure 3 – Location of Rail
Line in Downtown Nogales
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 6
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
rich biodiversity the area has to offer, there are many groups involved in its land and wildlife
conservation including the Audubon Society of Arizona, the Nature Conservancy, the Sky Island
Alliance, the Wild Lands Project, and the Sonoran Institute. The Arizona Game and Fish
Department would like to see greater emphasis on determining and avoiding or mitigating
impacts on wildlife for transportation and development projects. They have wildlife friendly
guidelines that can be followed by both public agencies and private developers.
The study area encompasses a number of cultural resources and parks in the City of Nogales and
Santa Cruz County. According to the National Register and the State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO), there are 44 protected historic places and/or buildings in the study area. Of these
forty-four, nearly three-quarters are in the Nogales area. The majority of the sites are buildings
with many of them being historic homes that were built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries.
3. Forecast of Future Conditions
3.1 Population Growth
Table P1 presents estimates of 2007 population and forecasts of 2010-2050 population prepared
by the Arizona Department of Employment Security (DES).
Table P1: DES Population Estimates & Forecasts
AREA 2000 2007 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Santa Cruz County 38,381 46,545 50,210 61,658 71,033 78,526 84,708
Nogales CCD (Study Area) 35,600 43,293 46,746 57,534 66,368 73,428 79,254
Nogales City 20,878 22,248 22,863 24,783 26,356 27,614 28,651
For this project, the DES estimates and forecasts are being used. This is because DES also
produced a companion set of sub-county estimates and forecasts. These sub-county areas are
based upon census geography. Santa Cruz County is divided into two major census divisions:
the Nogales CCD (western Santa Cruz County), and the Patagonia CCD (eastern Santa Cruz
County). The study area for this project falls entirely within the Nogales CCD. The 2007 DES
estimates indicate that:
• 93% of the total County population is located within western Santa Cruz County;
• 51% of the western Santa Cruz population is located within the City of Nogales;
• 38% of the western Santa Cruz population is located within the combined Rio Rico CDPs.
Given the current economic climate, the population forecasts for 2010 and 2020 might be viewed
as somewhat optimistic. Even so, the 2030 numbers appear achievable and reasonable. The
2030 DES forecasts indicate that:
• The total Santa Cruz County population will be 71,000 and the western County population
will be 66,400, both of which represent 53% increases from 2007;
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 7
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
• 51% of the western Santa Cruz population will be located within the Rio Rico CDPs;
• 40% of the western Santa Cruz population will be located within the City of Nogales.
3.2 Housing Growth
The 2000 Census also counts the number of
housing units. This is important because
traffic forecasting models use housing units
to estimate traffic generation. DES has not
published housing unit estimates and
forecasts to go with their population
estimates and forecasts. However, estimates
and forecasts of housing units have been
imputed from the DES population data.
Table H1 presents the counted housing units
for 2000, the estimated housing units for
2007, and the forecast housing units for
2020 and 2030. Overall, the distribution
and increases in housing units largely
parallels the distribution and increases in
population. However, the percentage
increase in housing units is somewhat
higher than the percentage increase in
population because the number of persons
per housing unit decreases over time.
Between 2007 and 2030, the number of
housing units in Western Santa Cruz County
increases by 9,831 (70%). The City of
Nogales has the largest absolute increase in
housing units (2,191), but the smallest
percentage increase (32%). The individual Rio Rico CDPs have somewhat smaller absolute
increases, but the largest percentage increases. Combined, the number of housing units in the
Rio Rico area increase by 6,328 (130%) to almost 11,200.
Table H1: Counted, Estimated & Forecast Housing Units
AREA 2000 2007 2020 2030
2007-30
Increase
Nogales CCD (Study Area) 11,494 13,978 20,640 23,809 9,831 70%
Nogales City 6,501 6,928 8,575 9,119 2,191 32%
Rio Rico Northeast CDP 1,115 1,530 2,572 3,113 1,583 103%
Rio Rico Northwest CDP 837 1,335 2,517 3,159 1,825 137%
Rio Rico Southeast CDP 452 793 1,608 2,059 1,265 160%
Rio Rico Southwest CDP 749 1,205 2,278 2,860 1,655 137%
Sources: 2000=Census Data, 2007-2030 imputed by WSA from DES population data
Figure 4
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 8
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
3.3 Employment Growth
Like housing units, existing and future
employment by location is a critical
input to the traffic forecasting process.
To support the Unified Nogales Santa
Cruz Transportation Plan, 2008
employment data from was purchased
from InfoUSA. For Santa Cruz County,
the InfoUSA data identifies 1,758
employee work locations (Figure 5).
Most employers having more than one
work location are listed once for each
location.
Arizona Department of Commerce data
was used to estimate the average
number of employees in each of the
eight size categories used to report
employment in the InfoUSA data.
Based on these averages, the InfoUSA
data estimates Santa Cruz County
employment to be approximately
15,600, which is very consistent with
published Department of Commerce
estimates.
The InfoUSA data shows that of the 1,758 employment locations in Santa Cruz County, there are
4 employment locations with 250 or more employees, 16 with 100 or more, and 53 with 50 or
more. These 53 locations alone account for about 40% of total employment, while the 165
employment locations with 20 or more employees account for more than 60% of total
employment. Of the 1,743 employment locations:
• 565 are retail establishments. Altogether, retail establishments account for 5,400 employees,
or 35% of total employment. The 132 retail employee locations reporting more than 10
employees account for 78% of retail employment and 27% of total employment.
• 105 are government employers. Altogether, government facilities account for almost 1,700
employees, or 11% of total employment.
• Of the 1,758 employer locations, 38 are educational facilities. These account for 1,225
employees, or 8% of total employment.
• Together, the government and educational employment locations account for 19% of total
employment in Santa Cruz County.
Figure 5
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 9
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
• 1,557 (89%) employment locations are found in the project study area (western Santa Cruz
County).
The vast majority (77%) of all employees within the study area work within the City of Nogales
while 16% work in Rio Rico and 3% work in Amado, Tubac, or Tumacacori. Most of the
remaining 4% of employees work in the unincorporated areas just north and east of the City of
Nogales.
The land use designations presented in the 2004 Santa Cruz Comprehensive Plan were used to
guide the distribution of future employment throughout the study area. The Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Map (Figure 6) designates large areas north and east of Nogales as mixed use
(commercial). Additional areas adjacent to I-19 within Rio Rico, Tubac and Amado are also
designated as mixed use. While not reflected in the County’s Comprehensive Plan, there are
significant opportunities for commercial development within the City of Nogales as well.
Table E1 presents the forecast distribution of 2030 employees. The vast majority (96%) of the
additional employment is divided between the City of Nogales, Rio Rico, and the “remainder”
area. Most of the employment allocated to the “Remainder” area was assigned to the mixed use
area between Nogales and Rio Rico. Under this distribution, 58% of total 2030 employment will
be located in Nogales compared to 77% in 2008, 19% would be located in Rio Rico compared to
16% in 2008, and 15% would be located in the remainder area, compared to 4% in 2008.
Figure 6
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 10
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Table E1: 2030 Western Santa Cruz County Employees By Location
2008-30 Increase In Employees 2030 Employees
Area
Non-
Retail
Retail Total Pct Non-Retail Retail Total Pct5
Nogales CCD (Study Area)
6,587
3,631
10,218 100%
15,953
8,793
24,746 100%
Amado CDP
66
36
102 1%
119
51
169 1%
Nogales City
2,108
1,162
3,270 32%
9,508
4,951
14,459 58%
Rio Rico CCD
2,108
1,162
3,270 32%
3,423
2,152
5,575 23%
Tubac CDP
132
73
204 2%
354
210
564 2%
Tumacacori-Carmen CDP
66
36
102 1%
91
39
130 1%
Remainder of Nogales CCD
2,108
1,162
3,270 32%
2,458
1,391
3,849 16%
Source: Wilbur Smith Associates
3.4 Future Traffic & Level of Service
The major factors generating traffic in the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County are:
�� The magnitude and location of future housing and employment within the study area;
• The magnitude and nature of traffic at the Ports of Entry (POE) to and from Mexico
(Mariposa POE, DeConcini POE, and the Morley Gate); and
• The magnitude of traffic to and from Pima County and points beyond.
Traffic projections are made using the magnitude and location of 2007 and 2030 housing and
employment within the region to estimate the number and location of vehicle trips that are
produced from housing, as well as the number of vehicle trips that are attracted to retail and non-retail
employment. Table T1 summarizes the 2007 counts and forecast 2030 traffic volumes and
the resultant levels of service for all arterials within the study area. In addition, several collector
roads and one local road are included in the list because they had been identified as existing
roads of concern with traffic problems. Based on the 2030 forecast, approximately 22 locations
that were LOS A-C in 2007 moved into the LOS D-F category. These include several sections of
Grand/Arroyo and SR 189, and are denoted with bold font in the table.
Table T1: 2030 Traffic & Resultant Level of Service
Location Road Type LOS C
Capacity
Current
ADT LOS 2030
ADT LOS
Compound St 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 14,673 D-F 19,000 D-F
Grand, N of Morley 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 24,625 D-F 32,000 D-F
Grand, N of Western 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 23,531 D-F 31,000 D-F
Grand, S of Morley 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 23,711 D-F 31,000 D-F
Grand, S of Western 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 23,129 D-F 30,000 D-F
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 11
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Location Road Type LOS C
Capacity
Current
ADT LOS 2030
ADT LOS
Sonoita Ave, Compound to Crawford 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 14,673 D-F 19,000 D-F
Arroyo SB, N of Crawford 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 8,943 D-F 12,000 D-F
Arroyo SB, N of Walnut/Oak 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 9,024 D-F 12,000 D-F
Grand NB, N of Crawford 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 8,975 D-F 12,000 D-F
Grand NB, S of Court 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 11,438 D-F 15,000 D-F
Grand NB, S of Walnut/Oak 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 11,820 D-F 15,000 D-F
Grand, N of Baffert 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 19,815 A-C 26,000 D-F
Grand, N of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 25,987 D-F 34,000 D-F
Grand, N of Gold Hills 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,540 A-C 31,000 D-F
Grand, N of SR-189 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 22,594 A-C 29,000 D-F
Grand, S of Baffert 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,164 A-C 30,000 D-F
Grand, S of Country Club 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 22,807 A-C 30,000 D-F
Grand, S of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,570 A-C 31,000 D-F
Grand, S of Gold Hills 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 25,713 D-F 33,000 D-F
Grand, S of SR-189 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 21,572 A-C 28,000 D-F
SR-189, E of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 21,955 A-C 29,000 D-F
SR-189, E of I-19 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 25,353 D-F 33,000 D-F
SR-189, W of Grand 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 19,800 A-C 26,000 D-F
SR-189, W of I-19 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,585 A-C 31,000 D-F
Bankerd Ave, Morley Ave to Doe St 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,712 D-F 10,000 D-F
Banks Bridge, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 5,730 A-C 7,000 D-F
Calle Sonora, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,993 A-C 9,000 D-F
Calle Sonora, W of Hohokam 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 5,519 A-C 7,000 D-F
Crawford, W of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 11,750 D-F 15,000 D-F
Doe Street, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 5,730 A-C 7,000 D-F
Frank Reed, N of SR-189 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 8,194 D-F 11,000 D-F
Monroe St, Morley Ave to Perkins Ave 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,240 A-C 8,000 D-F
Morley Ave, Park St to Park St +0.90 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,199 D-F 9,000 D-F
Perkins Ave, Monroe St +0.09 to SR-82 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,304 A-C 8,000 D-F
Rio Rico Dr, E from Exit 17 to Pendleton Dr 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 9,950 D-F 24,000 D-F
Rio Rico Dr, Rail Crossing 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 9,571 D-F 23,000 D-F
Ruby Rd, Potrero Creek 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,518 D-F 18,000 D-F
Ruby Rd, Rail Crossing 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,793 D-F 19,000 D-F
Ruby Rd, Santa Cruz River 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,214 A-C 11,000 D-F
Santa Cruz St, Bejarano St to Grand Ave 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,550 D-F 10,000 D-F
SR-82 W of Morley 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,671 A-C 9,000 D-F
Western, E of Mcnab 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,957 A-C 9,000 D-F
Western, W of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,066 A-C 8,000 D-F
Western, W of Mcnab 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,344 D-F 10,000 D-F
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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Location Road Type LOS C
Capacity
Current
ADT LOS 2030
ADT LOS
Yavapai Dr, I-19 to Camino Caralampi 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 11,748 D-F 33,000 D-F
Old Tucson Rd, Nogales TB to I-19 Front 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 4,867 A-C 13,000 D-F
SR-82, E of Morley 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 9,064 A-C 12,000 D-F
Grand, N of POE 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 10,062 A-C 13,000 A-C
Grand, N of Country Club 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 16,168 A-C 21,000 A-C
SR-189, E of Industrial Park Dr W 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 14,453 A-C 19,000 A-C
SR-189, N of Target Range 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 13,598 A-C 18,000 A-C
SR-189, S of Target Range 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 13,750 A-C 18,000 A-C
SR-189, W of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 15,829 A-C 21,000 A-C
SR-189, W of Industrial Park Dr W 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 14,323 A-C 19,000 A-C
Arivaca Rd, W Frontage Rd to W Frontage Rd 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 1,813 A-C 4,000 A-C
Court, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,668 A-C 6,000 A-C
Hohokam Dr, Calle Sonora approach 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 3,095 A-C 4,000 A-C
Horse Shoe Bend, Crawford St to MacNab Dr 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 1,112 A-C 1,000 A-C
Macnab, S of Western 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,115 A-C 5,000 A-C
Morley Ave, Park St +0.90 to Bankerd Ave 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,120 A-C 5,000 A-C
Morley, N of SR-82 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 2,496 A-C 3,000 A-C
Nelson Ave, International St to East St 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 1,552 A-C 2,000 A-C
Park, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 3,388 A-C 4,000 A-C
Target Range, E of SR-189 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,253 A-C 6,000 A-C
Walnut/Oak W of Arroyo 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,413 A-C 6,000 A-C
Walnut/Oak, E of Arroyo 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 3,656 A-C 5,000 A-C
Walnut/Oak, W of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,179 A-C 5,000 A-C
Country Club, W of Grand 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 7,908 A-C 10,000 A-C
Frank Reed, W of Grand 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 5,409 A-C 7,000 A-C
Old Tucson Rd, Grand Ave to Nogales TB 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 5,862 A-C 8,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, 1/4 miles N of Paseo Mexico 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 2,745 A-C 7,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, 1/4 miles S of Paseo Mexico 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 1,934 A-C 5,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, N of Just Ct 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 1,781 A-C 4,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, N of Rio Rico Dr 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 3,490 A-C 7,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, S of Calle Coyote 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 122 A-C - A-C
Pendleton Dr, S of Rio Rico Dr 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 5,317 A-C 11,000 A-C
Yavapai Dr, N of Camino Providencia 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 1,313 A-C 4,000 A-C
Yavapai Dr, S of Camino Providencia 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 2,154 A-C 6,000 A-C
Yavapai Dr, W of Camino Caralampi 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 2,626 A-C 7,000 A-C
The Mariposa and DeConcini Ports of Entry with Mexico have a significant influence on traffic
within the region. Because of physical constraints at the DeConcini POE, a modest 30%
increase has been asserted. The existing and Mariposa POE is operating at or near capacity
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during peak months. Given that the planned improvements will almost triple its capacity, a
150% increase has been asserted for the Mariposa POE. The additional Mariposa POE traffic is
not reflected in the 2030 volumes presented in Table T1. As shown in Table T2, including the
additional 11,000 vehicles per day (including 3,000 additional heavy trucks) would result in LOS
D-F on SR 189 from the POE to Grand Ave.
Table T2: SR-189 2030 Traffic & Level of Service with Mariposa POE Traffic
Location Road Type Capacity Current
PCE LOS 2030
PCE LOS2
SR-189, S of Target Range 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 18,678 A-C 41,000 D-F
SR-189, N of Target Range 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 18,462 A-C 41,000 D-F
SR-189, W of Industrial Park Dr W 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 20,425 A-C 44,000 D-F
SR-189, E of Industrial Park Dr W 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 20,117 A-C 43,000 D-F
SR-189, W of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 21,047 A-C 44,000 D-F
SR-189, E of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 27,173 D-F 52,000 D-F
SR-189, W of I-19 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 30,313 D-F 56,000 D-F
SR-189, E of I-19 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 29,151 D-F 45,000 D-F
SR-189, W of Grand 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,066 A-C 37,000 D-F
The I-19 frontage roads function as major, but discontinuous, north-south arterials. The frontage
roads begin just south of Rio Rico and terminate at the Pima County line. The West Frontage
Road north of Rio Rico Rd is the only section of frontage road currently operating at LOS D-F,
while the rest operate at LOS A-C. As shown in Table T3, all but two sections of the West
Frontage Road system within Rio Rico will be operating at LOS A-C in 2030. However, this
assumes that the frontage roads continue to function as relatively high speed suburban arterials.
If the frontage roads are allowed to become more urban in nature (slower speeds with more
signals and access driveways), the LOS C capacity will be reduced and LOS D-F congestion
could be experienced on additional sections of the East and West Frontage roads.
Table T3: I-19 Frontage Road 2030 Traffic & Level of Service
From To/At LOS C
Capacity
E
Frontage
Rd
2030 ADT
2030
LOS
W
Frontage
Rd
2030 ADT
2030
LOS2
Exit 8 Grand Ave Exit 12 SR 289 / Ruby Rd 11,900 8,000 A-C 4,000 A-C
Exit 12 SR 289 / Ruby Rd Exit 17 Rio Rico Rd 11,900 9,000 A-C 8,000 A-C
Exit 17 Rio Rico Rd Exit 22 Peck Canyon Rd 11,900 n/a n/a 16,000 D-F
Exit 22 Peck Canyon Rd Exit 25 Palo Parado Rd 11,900 n/a n/a 12,000 D-F
Exit 25 Palo Parado Rd Exit 29 Tumacacori Rd 11,900 3,000 A-C n/a n/a
Exit 29 Tumacacori Rd Exit 34 Tubac Rd 11,900 4,000 A-C 1,000 A-C
Exit 34 Tubac Rd Exit 40 Chavez Rd 11,900 9,000 A-C 2,000 A-C
Exit 40 Chavez Rd Exit 42 Agua Linda Rd 11,900 100 A-C n/a n/a
Exit 42 Agua Linda Rd Exit 48 Arivaca Rd 11,900 2,000 A-C 1,000 A-C
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 14
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Historic traffic data on I-19 between Santa Cruz and Pima Counties is somewhat inconsistent,
but average daily traffic appears to have almost doubled in the past 10 years and tripled in the
past 20 years. Both Santa Cruz and Pima Counties experienced significant growth during those
periods. Similar growth is expected between 2007 and 2030. As discussed earlier, the population
of western Santa Cruz County will increase by 53% by 2030, while the population of Pima
County to the north will increase by more than 40% (from 1 million to 1.4 million).
Traffic projections indicate that local travel (travel beginning and ending within Santa Cruz
County) on I-19 from Rio Rico south will double between 2007 and 2030. Together with the
increase in POE traffic, there is little question that traffic on most of I-19 within Nogales and
Santa Cruz County, and between Santa Cruz and Pima Counties will at least double by 2030.
Table T4 presents the 2030 traffic forecast and resulting level of service for I-19. The forecast
2030 traffic exceeds the level of service C volume from Exit 8 (Grand Ave) to Exit 29
(Tumacacori Rd). Taking into account the exceptionally high percentage of heavy trucks going
to and from the Mariposa POE, I-19 between Exit 4 (Mariposa Rd) and Exit 8 (Grand Ave) most
likely will be operating at LOS D-E as well.
Table T4: 2030 Traffic & Level of Service on I-19
Route BMP From EMP To
LOS C
Capacity
2030
ADT
LO
S
I 19 0 SB 19 (1) - Nogales 1.18 Exit 1 Western Ave 54,000 22,050 A-C
I 19 1.18 Exit 1 Western Ave 2.95 Exit 4 SR 189 / Mariposa Rd 54,000 23,250 A-C
I 19 2.95 Exit 4 SR 189 / Mariposa Rd 5.31 Exit 8 SB 19 (1) 54,000 49,000 A-C
I 19 5.31 Exit 8 SB 19 (1) 7.72 Exit 12 SR 289 / Ruby Rd 54,000 77,200 D-F
I 19 7.72 Exit 12 SR 289 / Ruby Rd 10.88 Exit 17 Rio Rico Rd 54,000 59,400 D-F
I 19 10.88 Exit 17 Rio Rico Rd 13.96 Exit 22 Peck Canyon Rd 54,000 58,200 D-F
I 19 13.96 Exit 22 Peck Canyon Rd 15.63 Exit 25 Palo Parado Rd 54,000 56,800 D-F
I 19 15.63 Exit 25 Palo Parado Rd 18.13 Exit 29 Tumacacori Rd 54,000 54,200 D-F
I 19 18.13 Exit 29 Tumacacori Rd 21.62 Exit 34 Tubac Rd 54,000 48,800 A-C
I 19 21.62 Exit 34 Tubac Rd 24.82 Exit 40 Chavez Rd 54,000 43,600 A-C
I 19 24.82 Exit 40 Chavez Rd 26.54 Exit 42 Agua Linda Rd 54,000 40,800 A-C
I 19 26.54 Exit 42 Agua Linda Rd 29.98 Exit 48 Arivaca Rd 54,000 38,200 A-C
3.5 Multimodal Conditions
3.5.1 Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation
Regardless of the size of a community, it can benefit by increasing the share of non-motorized
transportation among its residents. Walking and bicycling expand mobility for non-drivers,
reduce motor vehicle demands on the street system, do not impact the environment with noise,
air pollution or consumption of valuable oil resources, and provides a venue for healthy exercise.
Currently, the infrastructure to support walking and bicycling in the study area is limited. The
few sidewalks that do exist are mostly found within the City of Nogales, while there are no
designated bikeways in the study area at all. Pathways include two unpaved sections of the Anza
Trail and a paved pathway in the village of Rio Rico.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Even with the limited infrastructure, there is significant existing demand for these modes, most
notably at the ports of entry at the US/Mexico border and along Grand Avenue in downtown
Nogales. Key issues for non-motorized modes of transportation include:
• Need for walking and bicycling connections to schools.
• Need for new paved shoulders for walking and bicycling and repairs to existing shoulders on
all roadways for safe pedestrian and bicyclist use.
• Need for pedestrian and bicycle access on bridges across I-19.
• Need for pedestrian and bicycle access on I-19 frontage roads including new frontage roads
to provide connection to locations north of the study area.
• Need for pedestrian bridges for safe railroad crossing.
• Need for better pedestrian facilities (sidewalks and crosswalks) in downtown Nogales,
particularly to connect the ports of entry with Mexico to retail establishments along Grand
Avenue.
• Need for pedestrian facilities that connect to the Mariposa Port of Entry west of downtown,
including a possible multi-use path connection to downtown Nogales and adding sidewalks
along Mariposa Road.
• Need for a developed pick-up/drop-off area for pedestrians crossing at Mariposa Port of
Entry
• Need for pedestrian/bicycle facilities in Rio Rico with connections to Tubac and north to
Green Valley.
• Need for effective wayfinding and signage, particularly for tourists and visitors.
Currently, pedestrians and bicyclists in the study area are finding it difficult to make their trips
safely and conveniently, especially across highways and railroads with the lack of marked
pathways and roadway crossings. With today’s pressures to reduce our carbon footprint,
walking and bicycling provide an inexpensive, environmentally-friendly, and healthy alternative.
The following recommendations are suggested to build on existing efforts towards pedestrian-and
bicycle-friendly communities.
• Develop pedestrian and bicycle master plans for the study area.
• Make minor and major improvements as funding and resources become available.
• Develop guidelines and standards to provide for pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
• Piggyback on other development or redevelopment projects, such as street repaving projects,
to improve walking and bicycling networks.
• Include other elements important to pedestrians and bicyclists such as bicycle parking,
education (directed at pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, adults, and children), enforcement,
facility maintenance, wayfinding/signage, and ADA accessibility.
3.5.2 Transit Circulation
Transit is a beneficial element for any community providing access for those who cannot or
choose not to drive. In addition, transit can replace trips currently made by the automobile,
thereby reducing our contribution to roadway congestion, consumption of oil resources, and
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
noise and air pollution. Transit, in conjunction with walking and bicycling, extends the range of
trips made by the individual modes. As the population in the study area grows older, transit will
become even more necessary to support mobility for seniors who can no longer drive. Currently
there is no fixed route transit in the study area. On-demand transit for trips to the doctor,
shopping and community events is provided to seniors, the disabled, and clients of provider
organizations; the largest of which is Nogales Rides. The demand for these services is obvious
based on the almost 50 percent increase in ridership that Nogales Rides has experienced in 2009
over the previous year.
The City of Nogales can consider expanding transit to include service to the general public. The
City can apply for funding for a 5311 (rural transit) grant in the next funding cycle to provide
this service. The design of this system is currently being studied (Nogales Transit Study - Draft
12/31/08) and would most likely include a combination of call-and-ride, flexible route, and
fixed-route services.
Although there is interest in transit services along the I-19 corridor to Rio Rico and Tubac, with
possible connections to Tucson, no public agency has stepped forward with an interest in
spearheading this effort. While the population densities along the I-19 corridor are not adequate
to support service at this time, future transit service along the I-19 corridor should be considered.
Considerations for future transit service in the study area include:
• Work trips provide a good basis for transit service with repeat trips to/from fixed locations.
• A system of park-and-ride lots and vanpools can offer a low cost startup for future transit
focused on commuter trips.
• Building on the existing demand-responsive service provided by Nogales Rides is a practical
way to expand service to the general public while refining the fixed-routes based on usage.
• Bus stops and transfer facilities should be accessible, safe and convenient for users as well as
for transit operators.
• Good pedestrian and bicycle connections to transit are important with these modes serving as
an extension of, and access to, the transit routes. Bicycle parking at bus stops or transfer
stations should be provided along with the ability to carry bicycles on board transit.
• Education and promotion are key factors to encouraging potential users to use transit.
4. Existing and Future Condition Findings
Some of the more important findings from the existing and future conditions analysis and
assessment are set forth as follows:
1. SR 189, Mariposa Road, will need to be widened and improved to handle the future
traffic particularly when the new Mariposa port of entry becomes operational.
2. The I-19 frontage roads serve as major north-south arterial roads, but the system is
incomplete. The frontage road system needs to be made continuous from Mariposa Road
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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to the north county line, and should be planned and programmed for expansion and
widening when traffic volumes warrant.
3. I-19 will need to be widened to accommodate the future traffic from SR 189, Mariposa
Road (Exit 4), north to at least Tumacacori Road (Exit 29).
4. Grand Avenue through Nogales needs to be improved to more effectively handle traffic
volumes, both under existing and future conditions, within the constrained rights of way
that exist. This can include traffic signalization improvements, continuous sidewalks,
intersection improvements, widening where possible, and provision of alternate routes.
5. Pendleton Drive is the only north-south roadway corridor of any significant length
outside the I-19 corridor area. As such, the Pendleton Drive corridor is vitally important
as an alternative route to I-19 and its frontage road system, and its existing and future
corridor needs to be protected and preserved. Pendleton Drive needs to be extended
north and south with adequate right of way width for at least four lanes. An extension of
Pendleton Drive north to at least Tubac, and possibly to the county line will be critically
important for the future transportation system of Santa Cruz County.
6. The Nogales Wash and Santa Cruz River, along with the UP railroad tracks, present
major safety concerns and barriers to effective traffic circulation in an east-west direction
throughout the county. Additional bridges and railroad overpass structures are needed at
other locations to handle existing and future traffic conditions. Pedestrian crossings of
the railroad tracks are needed in the downtown Nogales area.
7. Alternate non-motorized modes of transportation are needed to enhance the quality of life
for the citizens of Santa Cruz County. Bicycle and pedestrian master plans should be
developed and the identified bicycle and pedestrian transportation facilities should be
constructed concurrently with the future development of all transportation facilities.
8. A public transit system, initially in Nogales and expanded along the I-19 corridor within
the county in the future, is another needed transportation system improvement.
9. The means for funding transportation system improvements need to be developed and
implemented to adequately serve the public and deliver necessary improvements when
warranted. This will become increasingly important to maintain a good quality of life for
the citizenry, and needs to be accomplished without compromising the necessary
maintenance of the system.
10. The future mixed-use growth area between Nogales and Rio Rico is not effectively
served by existing transportation infrastructure. A network of roads and improved
access to I-19 would be needed to encourage and support future growth in this area.
11. The Ruby Road interchange area is extremely congested and of concern to all
stakeholders. The situation should be carefully examined and addressed to find a
workable solution.
12. There is a potential need for improved east-west connectivity across I-19 in Nogales to
support future growth. Connecting western Nogales and the Mariposa Road area to
Grand Avenue and eastern Nogales, including SR 82, would be beneficial to the overall
traffic circulation within the community.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5. Transportation Improvement Program
5.1 Environmental Justice
The Environmental Justice analysis of the study area showed there is a majority of Hispanic
residents across western Santa Cruz County and within the City of Nogales. In addition, a
significant percentage of the population in western Santa Cruz County and the City of Nogales is
classified as low income. The transportation improvements identified and described herein will
greatly contribute toward improving quality of life. The proposed transportation improvements
will be balanced across populations, thus satisfying the intent of the regulations.
5.2 Implementation Plan
Project stakeholders identified issues at 57 sites located throughout Santa Cruz County. In
addition, travel demand forecasting identified an additional 23 sites that need additional capacity
to serve the forecasted traffic demands at an acceptable level of service. The recommended
solutions cover all modes of transportation, including roadway improvements, safety and
operations enrichment, pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, and new and expanded transit
systems. These projects were identified based on forecasts of future traffic volumes,
determinations of the capacities of existing transportation facilities, analysis of crash data, review
of previous studies and reports, and input from key stakeholders and the public. The
recommended improvements include planning level cost estimates that can be used for budgeting
purposes and capital improvement programming.
The Implementation Plan focuses on the prioritization of the projects. The projects were aligned
into short term (five year), medium term (ten year), and long term (twenty year) project
categories and listed separately for the City of Nogales and for Santa Cruz County due to
separate funding accounts. Options are provided for additional revenue sources, along with an
order of magnitude approximation of how much the revenue source may be on an annualized
basis, for consideration and possible adoption by the Nogales City Council and the Santa Cruz
County Board of Supervisors and implementation by the local jurisdiction public works
department staff. The following sections include all of the identified transportation system
improvement projects in one of four different categories. These categories are listed and
described as follows:
1. Short Term Priority Program (FY2011 through FY2015)
The projects receiving the highest ranking by the local agencies are included in this
category. The number of projects is constrained by an estimated funding level that
includes both current revenue sources and several suggested additional revenue sources.
2. Medium Term Implementation Program (FY2016 through FY2020)
The projects of the next level of magnitude of priority to the local agencies are included
in this category. The number of projects in this listing is also constrained by an estimated
funding level that includes current and suggested additional revenue sources.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
3. Long Term Implementation Program (FY2021 through FY2030)
The projects of the next lower magnitude of priority to the local agencies are included in
this category. The number of projects in this listing is also constrained by an estimated
funding level that includes current and suggested additional revenue sources.
4. Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program
All identified projects that were not included in the short, medium or long term
improvement programs are included in this listing of needed projects that may not be
implementable within this 20 year program due to fiscal constraints.
5.2.1A Short Term Priority Program – Santa Cruz County
Based on the rankings and prioritization by Santa Cruz County in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for short term priority for the five year
capital improvement program – FY2011 through FY2015.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 20
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Reclassifying this Project #58 to a rural minor collector will make the project eligible to
apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 21
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Project No. 80 is eligible for funding under the Transportation Enhancement Program
and/or the Safe Route to Schools Program.
Note: Projects #78 and #79 are eligible for ADOT MPD PARA Program funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 22
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.1B Short Term Priority Program – City of Nogales
Based on the rankings and prioritization by City of Nogales in coordination with Wilbur Smith
Associates, the following projects are suggested for short term priority for the five year capital
improvement program – FY2011 through FY2015.
Note: Cost for Project #3 was taken from the City’s TIGER Grant Application.
Note: Reclassifying this Project #8 to an urban minor arterial will make the project eligible to
apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 23
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Projects #78 and #79 are eligible for ADOT MPD PARA Program funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 24
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.2A Medium Term Implementation Program – Santa Cruz County
Based on the rankings and prioritization by Santa Cruz County in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for medium term priority for the five year
program from FY2016 through FY2020.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 25
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Reclassifying these Projects #51 & #54 to rural minor collectors will make the projects
eligible to apply for federal funding.
Note: There are no bike/pedestrian projects identified for the medium term program for Santa
Cruz County.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 26
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.2B Medium Term Implementation Program – City of Nogales
Based on the rankings and prioritization by the City of Nogales in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for medium term priority for the five year
program from FY2016 through FY2020.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 27
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Reclassifying these Projects (#38, #61, #44, & #71) to urban collector will make the
projects eligible to apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 28
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 29
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.3A Long Term Implementation Program – Santa Cruz County
Based on the rankings and prioritization by Santa Cruz County in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for long term priority for the ten year
program from FY2021 through FY2030.
Note: Reclassifying this Project #55 to a rural minor collector will make the project eligible to
apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 30
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 31
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.3B Long Term Implementation Program – City of Nogales
Based on the rankings and prioritization by the City of Nogales in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for long term priority for the ten year
program from FY2021 through FY2030.
Note: Project Site #4 was moved from the Roper Road Alignment to the Gold Hill Road
alignment as directed by the City of Nogales.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 32
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Reclassifying these Projects (#64, #62, & #60) to urban collector will make the projects
eligible to apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 33
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 34
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.4A Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program – Santa Cruz County
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 35
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Reclassifying this Project #52B to a rural major collector will make the project eligible
to apply for federal funding.
5.2.4B Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program – City of Nogales
Note: Project No. 57 cost estimate in the above table is based on the average cost for minor
and major collector streets (57A & 57B) in the master planned Western Nogales
development.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 36
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.5 Local Priorities for Federal/State Transportation System Projects
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 37
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 38
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 39
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 40
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: The maximum transportation enhancement grant for state system project is $943,000; the
balance of the project cost will need to be made up with state matching funds.
6. Suggested New Revenue Approaches
6.1 Additional Sales Tax Revenues
Imposition of a one half cent sales tax dedicated to transportation has been estimated to generate
around $3.4 million annually (2009 dollars) if imposed on all of Santa Cruz County including
the City of Nogales. A one half cent sales tax be could be imposed exclusively within the City of
Nogales through an increase in their sales tax rate. This would generate around $2.4 million
annually (2009 dollars).
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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6.2 Development Impact Fees
Imposition of a three thousand dollar per dwelling unit ($3,000/du) impact fee dedicated to
transportation has been estimated to generate around $2.2 million annually (2009 dollars) if
imposed on all of Santa Cruz County including the City of Nogales. Such fees are used to offset
the cost of public infrastructure, including transportation improvements.
6.3 Public-Private Partnerships
ADOT recently completed a study entitled “Public-Private Partnership Potential for Arizona-
Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects.” The purpose of the study was to explore the potential
for utilizing public-private partnerships to deliver infrastructure serving the seven ports of entry
along the Arizona-Mexico Border. Based on the work done by the Wilbur Smith Associates
study team, one specific project was identified as having the potential to be at least partially self-funding
as a public-private partnership: the SR 189/Mariposa Road project connecting the
Mariposa POE with I-19 in Nogales, Arizona. The next step would be to conduct a conceptual
level evaluation of the project.
6.4 Districts as a New Revenue Source for Transportation Infrastructure
The city and the county consider using improvement districts and community facilities districts,
as applicable, to provide an additional revenue source (assessments against benefited properties
in the district) and funding means for delivering needed transportation infrastructure. Those who
benefit from the improvement are asked to pay for the improvement. The majority of the
property owners should support the need for the project and be willing to be assessed for the cost
of the improvement. Improvement districts are normally used to address deficiencies in existing
transportation systems. Community facilities districts are typically used to advance
infrastructure for new developments such as many of the identified project needs in the I-19
corridor due to the expected growth in the Santa Cruz county portion of the study area.
6.4.1 Improvement Districts
Improvement Districts are typically established to address deficiencies in the infrastructure in
established areas. Infrastructure deficiencies may include roadway width, drainage, pavement,
or enhancements such as sidewalks, streetlights, utility undergrounding, or installing sanitary
sewers in areas with current septic systems. Improvement Districts are created to provide
specific facilities for specific geographical areas, and use the sale of obligation bonds to fund the
improvements. Districts use a secondary property tax to retire the bonds. Sometimes a
neighborhood area approaches a local government to create such a district to provide needed
improvements. A vote of the property owners of the impacted area is required to authorize a
district. Improvement districts can be used for roadway improvements within cities or in county
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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areas. The creation of an improvement district requires the concurrence of 51% of the property
owners, and costs are imposed on properties based on calculated benefits which may include
parcel size, roadway frontage, or some other value. Special assessments are then levied against
the benefited property for the apportioned cost of the improvements.
6.4.2 Community Facilities Districts (CFDs)
The Arizona Community Facilities District Act provides mechanisms for funding of
infrastructure improvements for both municipalities and developers. The law authorizes tax
exempt bonds to be issued and repaid by assessing only the lands directly benefiting by the new
infrastructure. CFD bonds can fund a number of public infrastructure needs including
transportation. Developers prefer this funding approach, since their cost exposure is less than
with conventional financing, and no security needs to be pledged against the bond other than the
projected assessment revenue stream. CFDs allow developers to create separate political
subdivisions distinct from the jurisdiction they are located in for the purpose of issuing tax
exempt bonds to finance public improvements. CFDs are permitted to finance public roadways,
utilities, and public facilities such as police and fire stations, parks, and libraries. The
responsibility to repay the bonds is placed on the end users of the property who retire the bonds
over a twenty-five year period.
Figure 7 - Possible Nogales Improvement Districts & Project Site Locations
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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Figure 8 – Possible Santa Cruz Community Facilities District & Project Site Locations
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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7. Functional Classification Recommendations
Functional classification is a system of classifying roadways according to the character of service
they are intended to provide. This results in a hierarchy from higher volume roadways of a
regional nature to lower volume roadways of a more local nature. Classifications begin at the
principal arterial level and track downward to minor arterials, major and minor collectors, and
local roadway classifications. The process of classifying roadways in Arizona is led by ADOT
in cooperation with the regional councils of governments; in this case, the SouthEastern Arizona
Council of Governments (SEAGO). All roads that are part of the public roadway network are to
be classified. The roads on the state system are classified by ADOT and the roads on federal
lands are classified by the respective federal agencies. Functional classification is done in
combination with establishing boundaries for urban areas, which result in roadways being
classified as rural or urban facilities. In high growth areas such as Arizona, urban boundaries
warrant periodic review.
For a project to be eligible for federal funding and to be included in the State Transportation
Improvement Plan (STIP), the roadway in question must be functionally classified as a rural
major collector or above or as an urban collector or above. In order for the maximum number of
the improvement projects recommended in this study to be eligible for federal funding, these
projects were reviewed to determine if any of the roadways contained therein could potentially
be reclassified to qualify for federal funding. The following tables show the current and/or
recommended functional classifications for roadway segments included in the recommended
projects section of this study for both the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County. Projects on
the State Highway System are not included as the functional classification of those roads is the
responsibility of ADOT.
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8. Implementation Plan Recommendations
1. Accept and approve the transportation plan and adopt the improvement program.
2. Apply for federal funding for eligible short-term projects and apply for any available and
applicable grants to fund eligible short-term projects.
3. As funding becomes available, the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County should pursue
predesign work for short term priority projects.
4. Create new revenue sources including a dedicated ½ cent sales tax for the entire county,
adopt and impose a development impact fee of $3,000 per dwelling unit, and use
improvement districts and community facility districts to help fund needed projects.
5. To maximize the use of potential federal funding, the city and county should work
aggressively with the SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO) to
functionally reclassify roadways as recommended in this report to make them eligible for
federal funding.
6. The pedestrian and bicycle plans for the study area, including both the county and the city,
should be pursued as soon as possible, funded through an ADOT PARA Study grant, so that
the respective pedestrian and bicycle master plans can provide the basis for applications for
funding through the transportation enhancement program and the Safe Routes to School
program leading to as many project designs and construction as possible.
7. When new roadways are planned and designed, it is advisable to incorporate multimodal
facilities for bicycle and pedestrian traffic as appropriate for the facility.
8. Some private developments in the study area appear to have occurred without these
developments contributing to or building adjacent roadway improvements. It is
recommended that all new developments be required to bring contiguous roadways up to
current standards for right of way, number of traffic lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, and other
appurtenant improvements. Both the county and the city should require Traffic Impact
Analyses (TIAs) to be done for all significant new developments. These reports will then
dictate the extent of traffic impacts and suggest improvements to mitigate these impacts.
These measures may include the improvements noted above and also turn lanes, deceleration
lanes, and installation of all manner of traffic control devices. TIA standards from other
public agencies can be obtained and provided for this purpose.
9. The county and the city should continue to work with SEAGO and ADOT to investigate all
options for development of public transportation within the study area, including providing
park and ride facilities, as well as linking the communities to the Tucson metropolitan area
and beyond.

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Full Text

April 30, 2010
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page i
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background Information............................................................................... 1
1.2 Study Area Overview .................................................................................... 1
1.3 Purpose and Need Statements .................................................................... 3
2. Inventory of Current Conditions .................................................................. 3
2.1 Roadway System Inventory and Traffic Analysis....................................... 3
2.2 Multi-Modal Transportation .......................................................................... 4
2.3 Environmental Conditions............................................................................ 5
3. Forecast of Future Conditions..................................................................... 6
3.1 Population Growth ........................................................................................ 6
3.2 Housing Growth ............................................................................................ 7
3.3 Employment Growth ..................................................................................... 8
3.4 Future Traffic & Level of Service ............................................................... 10
3.5 Multimodal Conditions................................................................................ 14
3.5.1 Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation ........................................................... 14
3.5.2 Transit Circulation ...................................................................................... 15
4. Existing and Future Condition Findings ................................................... 16
5. Transportation Improvements ................................................................... 18
5.1 Environmental Justice................................................................................ 18
5.2 Implementation Plan ................................................................................... 18
5.2.1A Short Term Priority Program – Santa Cruz County.................................. 19
5.2.1B Short Term Priority Program – City of Nogales........................................ 22
5.2.2A Medium Term Implementation Program – Santa Cruz County................ 24
5.2.2B Medium Term Implementation Program – City of Nogales...................... 26
5.2.3A Long Term Implementation Program – Santa Cruz County..................... 29
5.2.3B Long Term Implementation Program – City of Nogales........................... 31
5.2.4A Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program – Santa Cruz County .... 34
5.2.4B Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program – City of Nogales .......... 35
5.2.5 Local Priorities for Federal/State Transportation System Projects ........ 36
6. Suggested New Revenue Approaches...................................................... 41
6.1 Additional Sales Tax Revenues ................................................................. 41
6.2 Development Impact Fees.......................................................................... 42
6.3 Public-Private Partnerships ....................................................................... 42
6.4 Districts as a New Revenue Source for Transportation Infrastructure .. 42
6.4.1 Improvement Districts ................................................................................ 42
6.4.2 Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) ...................................................... 43
7. Functional Classification Recommendations........................................... 45
8. Implementation Plan Recommendations .................................................. 47
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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1. Introduction
1.1 Background Information
The Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010 was initiated by the
Arizona Department of Transportation in cooperation with the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz
County. This plan is funded through ADOT’s Planning Assistance for Rural Areas (PARA)
program. ADOT, the City of Nogales, and Santa Cruz County have retained the consultant team
of Wilbur Smith Associates to conduct the study under the direction of a Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC).
The Nogales/Santa Cruz County region is part of the Ambos Nogales urbanized area. This area
is bi-national with most of the region located in Sonora, Mexico, and a small piece extending
into Arizona in Nogales and Santa Cruz County. Nogales and Santa Cruz County are home to
three ports of entry between the United States and Mexico: DeConcini, Morley Gate pedestrian,
and the Mariposa commercial ports of entry. The Mariposa port of entry is one of the ten busiest
cargo ports along the entire US-Mexico border.
Another mode of transportation that has a significant impact on the Nogales/Santa Cruz County
area is the Union Pacific Railroad line. This rail line runs directly through downtown Nogales
and bisects the town and the county along its north-south line. With long trains, local traffic on
any roads in the vicinity of the railroad tracks are extremely congested since there is only one
grade separated crossing in the entire county. It is located at SR-82 north of the downtown
Nogales area. This situation presents a major traffic circulation and public safety issue for the
communities.
1.2 Study Area Overview
The project study area encompasses the majority of Santa Cruz County and is more or less
centered along I-19 for the full north-south length of the county. The study area can be generally
described as:
• Bounded on the north by the Santa Cruz County/Pima County boundary line
• Bounded on the east by a line extending north and south from milepost 10 on SR-82, the
Patagonia Highway
• Bounded on the south by the US-Mexico International Border
• Bounded on the west by a line extending north and south from milepost 10 on SR-289, Ruby
Road
The study area is shown in Figure 1 – Study Area on the following page.
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Figure 1 – Study Area / Public & Private Land Ownership
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1.3 Purpose and Need Statements
This study updates the current plan entitled Unified Nogales/Santa Cruz County Transportation
2000 Plan. The local governments need a fresh look and new approach to developing their
transportation plan.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to create a useful, workable transportation system
planning document that contains a realistic and achievable program for implementing
transportation system improvements throughout the city and the county.
Need: There is a critical need for effective transportation planning to provide improved and
safer traffic circulation throughout the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County given limited
resources that takes into account, not only the special cases of traffic movements through and
around the US-Mexico border, but also the local development schemes and plans throughout the
county, and the discontinuity situation created by the presence of the Nogales Wash/Santa Cruz
River and the UP Railroad tracks.
2. Inventory of Current Conditions
2.1 Roadway System Inventory and Traffic Analysis
The majority of streets and roads in the Nogales and Santa Cruz County study area are 2-lane
undivided facilities. Of course, some of the major traffic routes like I-19 and SR 189 have four
lanes; two in each direction.
Crash data was obtained from the ADOT Traffic Records Section for the period 2003 through
2007. The crash data was analyzed to determine areas of particular concern regarding traffic
safety and to identify and program needed safety improvements and enhancements.
In terms of total traffic, the Mariposa Road interchange is almost 50% busier than the next
busiest interchanges at Ruby Road and at Rio Rico Road. The Mariposa Road interchange also
carries the most heavy truck traffic. However, it should be noted that these counts were taken in
July, which is outside of the peak produce season and thus is a low month for heavy truck traffic
overall.
The I-19 frontage roads currently, and will continue to, play an important role in the Santa Cruz
County transportation system. The West Frontage Roads between Ruby Road and Peck Canyon
are the busiest. For the East Frontage Roads, the section between Ruby Road and Rio Rico Road
is the busiest, but it carries less than half what the busiest west side sections carry.
The DeConcini and Mariposa Ports of Entry generate a significant amount of daily auto, truck,
and pedestrian traffic. The heavy truck (18-wheeler) traffic to and from the Mariposa POE has a
very significant impact on a number of roads within Santa Cruz County, particularly during the
peak January through May produce season.
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Source: Nogales Transit Feasibility Review and Implementation Plan
(Draft – October 2006)
Figure 2 – Proposed Five-Route System
The Santa Cruz River and UPRR tracks are major physical barriers to east-west travel in Nogales
and Santa Cruz County. The few river crossings north of Rio Rico Drive are unpaved.
According to the Rail Crossings Study, approximately seven trains use the UPRR line daily.
The West Frontage Road north of Rio Rico Road is the only section of frontage road operating at
Level of Service (LOS) D to E (congested). The remainder of the existing frontage road system
operates at LOS A to LOS C (not congested). Most of Grand Avenue and significant portions of
SR-189 (Mariposa Rd) are operating at LOS D to F. There are also a significant number of 2
lane arterials, 2 lane collectors, and one local street operating at LOS D to F. Most, but not all, of
the potential problem areas are located in the City of Nogales. Those outside the city include the
I-19 interchange areas at Ruby Road, Rio Rico Drive, and Yavapai Drive, and additionally the
Palo Parado Road river crossing.
2.2 Multi-Modal Transportation
The pedestrian, bicycle, and transit assessment was based on review of current documents in the
Santa Cruz County/Nogales area. These documents included past transportation, comprehensive,
and general plans in the area.
Existing Pedestrian and Bicycle
Facilities
Sidewalks are limited within the I-19
corridor with most located in the City
of Nogales. There are significant
pedestrian border crossings at the
DeConcini and Morley Avenue ports
of entry in downtown Nogales, yet
sidewalks are only found along
approximately 40 percent of the
arterials and collectors surveyed for
that study. No designated bicycle
routes exist within Santa Cruz
County. Bicycles are allowed on all
roadways within the I-19 corridor
including the limited-access freeway
when alternative access is not
available.
Transit
Transit is an important service
providing mobility for those that do
not have a car, are not able to drive,
or simply choose not to drive, and is
especially important to the senior and disabled communities.
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The Nogales Transit Feasibility Review and Implementation Plan was prepared to determine the
viability of a publicly sponsored, fixed-route transit service within the City of Nogales. The
implementation plan included a system operating plan; system budget; marketing strategy; and
implementation schedule.
Rail
Currently, the Union Pacific has chosen to permit a public at-grade crossing of its tracks and
right of way where it intersects with Palo Parado Road. There are 33 crossings in the UP
database with an estimated 16 public and 16 private crossings and one international boundary
crossing. There is only one grade separated
crossing in the county located on SR 82 in
Nogales. See Figure 3 for an aerial view of the
downtown Nogales area.
Freight
In 2007, Nogales handled over 87% of US
exports leaving through Arizona POEs. In the
same time period, Nogales handled over 88%
of all imports coming through Arizona POEs.
The value of goods and freight imported and
exported through Arizona POEs is expected to
grow significantly over the next 20 years
(2030). Note that Nogales currently has the
only rail crossing of the international border
in Arizona.
Airports
There are three airports within the study area in Santa Cruz County. The Nogales International
Airport is the most significant of the three and is included in the recently completed Arizona
State Airports System Plan. The two other airports in the study area are much smaller and not
used or used very sparsely. They are the Rio Rico Airstrip and the Tubac Ultralight Flightpark.
2.3 Environmental Conditions
Nogales and Santa Cruz County are located in the Sonoran Desert, which covers 120,000 square
miles and has a minimum elevation of 2,500 feet. The mean elevation in the City of Nogales is
3,865 feet. The terrain in the study area is rugged with numerous washes and ridges generally
aligned from the southwest to the northeast. Much of the development in the area has occurred
in the flatter sloped areas adjacent to major drainage ways and floodplains. These include the
Nogales Wash that flows from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico northerly through the heart of the City
of Nogales along the east side of Grand Avenue to its confluence with the Santa Cruz River.
A significant portion of Santa Cruz County is part of the Coronado National Forest. Both the
eastern and western edges of the study area are bordered by the National Forest land. With the
Figure 3 – Location of Rail
Line in Downtown Nogales
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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rich biodiversity the area has to offer, there are many groups involved in its land and wildlife
conservation including the Audubon Society of Arizona, the Nature Conservancy, the Sky Island
Alliance, the Wild Lands Project, and the Sonoran Institute. The Arizona Game and Fish
Department would like to see greater emphasis on determining and avoiding or mitigating
impacts on wildlife for transportation and development projects. They have wildlife friendly
guidelines that can be followed by both public agencies and private developers.
The study area encompasses a number of cultural resources and parks in the City of Nogales and
Santa Cruz County. According to the National Register and the State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO), there are 44 protected historic places and/or buildings in the study area. Of these
forty-four, nearly three-quarters are in the Nogales area. The majority of the sites are buildings
with many of them being historic homes that were built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries.
3. Forecast of Future Conditions
3.1 Population Growth
Table P1 presents estimates of 2007 population and forecasts of 2010-2050 population prepared
by the Arizona Department of Employment Security (DES).
Table P1: DES Population Estimates & Forecasts
AREA 2000 2007 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Santa Cruz County 38,381 46,545 50,210 61,658 71,033 78,526 84,708
Nogales CCD (Study Area) 35,600 43,293 46,746 57,534 66,368 73,428 79,254
Nogales City 20,878 22,248 22,863 24,783 26,356 27,614 28,651
For this project, the DES estimates and forecasts are being used. This is because DES also
produced a companion set of sub-county estimates and forecasts. These sub-county areas are
based upon census geography. Santa Cruz County is divided into two major census divisions:
the Nogales CCD (western Santa Cruz County), and the Patagonia CCD (eastern Santa Cruz
County). The study area for this project falls entirely within the Nogales CCD. The 2007 DES
estimates indicate that:
• 93% of the total County population is located within western Santa Cruz County;
• 51% of the western Santa Cruz population is located within the City of Nogales;
• 38% of the western Santa Cruz population is located within the combined Rio Rico CDPs.
Given the current economic climate, the population forecasts for 2010 and 2020 might be viewed
as somewhat optimistic. Even so, the 2030 numbers appear achievable and reasonable. The
2030 DES forecasts indicate that:
• The total Santa Cruz County population will be 71,000 and the western County population
will be 66,400, both of which represent 53% increases from 2007;
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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• 51% of the western Santa Cruz population will be located within the Rio Rico CDPs;
• 40% of the western Santa Cruz population will be located within the City of Nogales.
3.2 Housing Growth
The 2000 Census also counts the number of
housing units. This is important because
traffic forecasting models use housing units
to estimate traffic generation. DES has not
published housing unit estimates and
forecasts to go with their population
estimates and forecasts. However, estimates
and forecasts of housing units have been
imputed from the DES population data.
Table H1 presents the counted housing units
for 2000, the estimated housing units for
2007, and the forecast housing units for
2020 and 2030. Overall, the distribution
and increases in housing units largely
parallels the distribution and increases in
population. However, the percentage
increase in housing units is somewhat
higher than the percentage increase in
population because the number of persons
per housing unit decreases over time.
Between 2007 and 2030, the number of
housing units in Western Santa Cruz County
increases by 9,831 (70%). The City of
Nogales has the largest absolute increase in
housing units (2,191), but the smallest
percentage increase (32%). The individual Rio Rico CDPs have somewhat smaller absolute
increases, but the largest percentage increases. Combined, the number of housing units in the
Rio Rico area increase by 6,328 (130%) to almost 11,200.
Table H1: Counted, Estimated & Forecast Housing Units
AREA 2000 2007 2020 2030
2007-30
Increase
Nogales CCD (Study Area) 11,494 13,978 20,640 23,809 9,831 70%
Nogales City 6,501 6,928 8,575 9,119 2,191 32%
Rio Rico Northeast CDP 1,115 1,530 2,572 3,113 1,583 103%
Rio Rico Northwest CDP 837 1,335 2,517 3,159 1,825 137%
Rio Rico Southeast CDP 452 793 1,608 2,059 1,265 160%
Rio Rico Southwest CDP 749 1,205 2,278 2,860 1,655 137%
Sources: 2000=Census Data, 2007-2030 imputed by WSA from DES population data
Figure 4
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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3.3 Employment Growth
Like housing units, existing and future
employment by location is a critical
input to the traffic forecasting process.
To support the Unified Nogales Santa
Cruz Transportation Plan, 2008
employment data from was purchased
from InfoUSA. For Santa Cruz County,
the InfoUSA data identifies 1,758
employee work locations (Figure 5).
Most employers having more than one
work location are listed once for each
location.
Arizona Department of Commerce data
was used to estimate the average
number of employees in each of the
eight size categories used to report
employment in the InfoUSA data.
Based on these averages, the InfoUSA
data estimates Santa Cruz County
employment to be approximately
15,600, which is very consistent with
published Department of Commerce
estimates.
The InfoUSA data shows that of the 1,758 employment locations in Santa Cruz County, there are
4 employment locations with 250 or more employees, 16 with 100 or more, and 53 with 50 or
more. These 53 locations alone account for about 40% of total employment, while the 165
employment locations with 20 or more employees account for more than 60% of total
employment. Of the 1,743 employment locations:
• 565 are retail establishments. Altogether, retail establishments account for 5,400 employees,
or 35% of total employment. The 132 retail employee locations reporting more than 10
employees account for 78% of retail employment and 27% of total employment.
• 105 are government employers. Altogether, government facilities account for almost 1,700
employees, or 11% of total employment.
• Of the 1,758 employer locations, 38 are educational facilities. These account for 1,225
employees, or 8% of total employment.
• Together, the government and educational employment locations account for 19% of total
employment in Santa Cruz County.
Figure 5
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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• 1,557 (89%) employment locations are found in the project study area (western Santa Cruz
County).
The vast majority (77%) of all employees within the study area work within the City of Nogales
while 16% work in Rio Rico and 3% work in Amado, Tubac, or Tumacacori. Most of the
remaining 4% of employees work in the unincorporated areas just north and east of the City of
Nogales.
The land use designations presented in the 2004 Santa Cruz Comprehensive Plan were used to
guide the distribution of future employment throughout the study area. The Comprehensive Plan
Land Use Map (Figure 6) designates large areas north and east of Nogales as mixed use
(commercial). Additional areas adjacent to I-19 within Rio Rico, Tubac and Amado are also
designated as mixed use. While not reflected in the County’s Comprehensive Plan, there are
significant opportunities for commercial development within the City of Nogales as well.
Table E1 presents the forecast distribution of 2030 employees. The vast majority (96%) of the
additional employment is divided between the City of Nogales, Rio Rico, and the “remainder”
area. Most of the employment allocated to the “Remainder” area was assigned to the mixed use
area between Nogales and Rio Rico. Under this distribution, 58% of total 2030 employment will
be located in Nogales compared to 77% in 2008, 19% would be located in Rio Rico compared to
16% in 2008, and 15% would be located in the remainder area, compared to 4% in 2008.
Figure 6
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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Table E1: 2030 Western Santa Cruz County Employees By Location
2008-30 Increase In Employees 2030 Employees
Area
Non-
Retail
Retail Total Pct Non-Retail Retail Total Pct5
Nogales CCD (Study Area)
6,587
3,631
10,218 100%
15,953
8,793
24,746 100%
Amado CDP
66
36
102 1%
119
51
169 1%
Nogales City
2,108
1,162
3,270 32%
9,508
4,951
14,459 58%
Rio Rico CCD
2,108
1,162
3,270 32%
3,423
2,152
5,575 23%
Tubac CDP
132
73
204 2%
354
210
564 2%
Tumacacori-Carmen CDP
66
36
102 1%
91
39
130 1%
Remainder of Nogales CCD
2,108
1,162
3,270 32%
2,458
1,391
3,849 16%
Source: Wilbur Smith Associates
3.4 Future Traffic & Level of Service
The major factors generating traffic in the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County are:
�� The magnitude and location of future housing and employment within the study area;
• The magnitude and nature of traffic at the Ports of Entry (POE) to and from Mexico
(Mariposa POE, DeConcini POE, and the Morley Gate); and
• The magnitude of traffic to and from Pima County and points beyond.
Traffic projections are made using the magnitude and location of 2007 and 2030 housing and
employment within the region to estimate the number and location of vehicle trips that are
produced from housing, as well as the number of vehicle trips that are attracted to retail and non-retail
employment. Table T1 summarizes the 2007 counts and forecast 2030 traffic volumes and
the resultant levels of service for all arterials within the study area. In addition, several collector
roads and one local road are included in the list because they had been identified as existing
roads of concern with traffic problems. Based on the 2030 forecast, approximately 22 locations
that were LOS A-C in 2007 moved into the LOS D-F category. These include several sections of
Grand/Arroyo and SR 189, and are denoted with bold font in the table.
Table T1: 2030 Traffic & Resultant Level of Service
Location Road Type LOS C
Capacity
Current
ADT LOS 2030
ADT LOS
Compound St 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 14,673 D-F 19,000 D-F
Grand, N of Morley 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 24,625 D-F 32,000 D-F
Grand, N of Western 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 23,531 D-F 31,000 D-F
Grand, S of Morley 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 23,711 D-F 31,000 D-F
Grand, S of Western 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 23,129 D-F 30,000 D-F
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ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 11
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Location Road Type LOS C
Capacity
Current
ADT LOS 2030
ADT LOS
Sonoita Ave, Compound to Crawford 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 14,673 D-F 19,000 D-F
Arroyo SB, N of Crawford 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 8,943 D-F 12,000 D-F
Arroyo SB, N of Walnut/Oak 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 9,024 D-F 12,000 D-F
Grand NB, N of Crawford 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 8,975 D-F 12,000 D-F
Grand NB, S of Court 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 11,438 D-F 15,000 D-F
Grand NB, S of Walnut/Oak 2Ln 1Way Arterial 7,000 11,820 D-F 15,000 D-F
Grand, N of Baffert 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 19,815 A-C 26,000 D-F
Grand, N of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 25,987 D-F 34,000 D-F
Grand, N of Gold Hills 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,540 A-C 31,000 D-F
Grand, N of SR-189 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 22,594 A-C 29,000 D-F
Grand, S of Baffert 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,164 A-C 30,000 D-F
Grand, S of Country Club 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 22,807 A-C 30,000 D-F
Grand, S of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,570 A-C 31,000 D-F
Grand, S of Gold Hills 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 25,713 D-F 33,000 D-F
Grand, S of SR-189 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 21,572 A-C 28,000 D-F
SR-189, E of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 21,955 A-C 29,000 D-F
SR-189, E of I-19 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 25,353 D-F 33,000 D-F
SR-189, W of Grand 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 19,800 A-C 26,000 D-F
SR-189, W of I-19 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,585 A-C 31,000 D-F
Bankerd Ave, Morley Ave to Doe St 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,712 D-F 10,000 D-F
Banks Bridge, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 5,730 A-C 7,000 D-F
Calle Sonora, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,993 A-C 9,000 D-F
Calle Sonora, W of Hohokam 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 5,519 A-C 7,000 D-F
Crawford, W of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 11,750 D-F 15,000 D-F
Doe Street, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 5,730 A-C 7,000 D-F
Frank Reed, N of SR-189 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 8,194 D-F 11,000 D-F
Monroe St, Morley Ave to Perkins Ave 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,240 A-C 8,000 D-F
Morley Ave, Park St to Park St +0.90 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,199 D-F 9,000 D-F
Perkins Ave, Monroe St +0.09 to SR-82 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,304 A-C 8,000 D-F
Rio Rico Dr, E from Exit 17 to Pendleton Dr 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 9,950 D-F 24,000 D-F
Rio Rico Dr, Rail Crossing 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 9,571 D-F 23,000 D-F
Ruby Rd, Potrero Creek 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,518 D-F 18,000 D-F
Ruby Rd, Rail Crossing 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,793 D-F 19,000 D-F
Ruby Rd, Santa Cruz River 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,214 A-C 11,000 D-F
Santa Cruz St, Bejarano St to Grand Ave 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,550 D-F 10,000 D-F
SR-82 W of Morley 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,671 A-C 9,000 D-F
Western, E of Mcnab 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,957 A-C 9,000 D-F
Western, W of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 6,066 A-C 8,000 D-F
Western, W of Mcnab 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 7,344 D-F 10,000 D-F
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Location Road Type LOS C
Capacity
Current
ADT LOS 2030
ADT LOS
Yavapai Dr, I-19 to Camino Caralampi 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 11,748 D-F 33,000 D-F
Old Tucson Rd, Nogales TB to I-19 Front 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 4,867 A-C 13,000 D-F
SR-82, E of Morley 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 9,064 A-C 12,000 D-F
Grand, N of POE 4Ln Urban Arterial 13,600 10,062 A-C 13,000 A-C
Grand, N of Country Club 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 16,168 A-C 21,000 A-C
SR-189, E of Industrial Park Dr W 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 14,453 A-C 19,000 A-C
SR-189, N of Target Range 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 13,598 A-C 18,000 A-C
SR-189, S of Target Range 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 13,750 A-C 18,000 A-C
SR-189, W of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 15,829 A-C 21,000 A-C
SR-189, W of Industrial Park Dr W 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 14,323 A-C 19,000 A-C
Arivaca Rd, W Frontage Rd to W Frontage Rd 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 1,813 A-C 4,000 A-C
Court, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,668 A-C 6,000 A-C
Hohokam Dr, Calle Sonora approach 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 3,095 A-C 4,000 A-C
Horse Shoe Bend, Crawford St to MacNab Dr 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 1,112 A-C 1,000 A-C
Macnab, S of Western 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,115 A-C 5,000 A-C
Morley Ave, Park St +0.90 to Bankerd Ave 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,120 A-C 5,000 A-C
Morley, N of SR-82 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 2,496 A-C 3,000 A-C
Nelson Ave, International St to East St 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 1,552 A-C 2,000 A-C
Park, E of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 3,388 A-C 4,000 A-C
Target Range, E of SR-189 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,253 A-C 6,000 A-C
Walnut/Oak W of Arroyo 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,413 A-C 6,000 A-C
Walnut/Oak, E of Arroyo 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 3,656 A-C 5,000 A-C
Walnut/Oak, W of Grand 2Ln Urban Arterial 7,000 4,179 A-C 5,000 A-C
Country Club, W of Grand 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 7,908 A-C 10,000 A-C
Frank Reed, W of Grand 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 5,409 A-C 7,000 A-C
Old Tucson Rd, Grand Ave to Nogales TB 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 5,862 A-C 8,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, 1/4 miles N of Paseo Mexico 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 2,745 A-C 7,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, 1/4 miles S of Paseo Mexico 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 1,934 A-C 5,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, N of Just Ct 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 1,781 A-C 4,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, N of Rio Rico Dr 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 3,490 A-C 7,000 A-C
Pendleton Dr, S of Calle Coyote 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 122 A-C - A-C
Pendleton Dr, S of Rio Rico Dr 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 5,317 A-C 11,000 A-C
Yavapai Dr, N of Camino Providencia 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 1,313 A-C 4,000 A-C
Yavapai Dr, S of Camino Providencia 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 2,154 A-C 6,000 A-C
Yavapai Dr, W of Camino Caralampi 2Ln Suburban Arterial 11,900 2,626 A-C 7,000 A-C
The Mariposa and DeConcini Ports of Entry with Mexico have a significant influence on traffic
within the region. Because of physical constraints at the DeConcini POE, a modest 30%
increase has been asserted. The existing and Mariposa POE is operating at or near capacity
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during peak months. Given that the planned improvements will almost triple its capacity, a
150% increase has been asserted for the Mariposa POE. The additional Mariposa POE traffic is
not reflected in the 2030 volumes presented in Table T1. As shown in Table T2, including the
additional 11,000 vehicles per day (including 3,000 additional heavy trucks) would result in LOS
D-F on SR 189 from the POE to Grand Ave.
Table T2: SR-189 2030 Traffic & Level of Service with Mariposa POE Traffic
Location Road Type Capacity Current
PCE LOS 2030
PCE LOS2
SR-189, S of Target Range 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 18,678 A-C 41,000 D-F
SR-189, N of Target Range 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 18,462 A-C 41,000 D-F
SR-189, W of Industrial Park Dr W 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 20,425 A-C 44,000 D-F
SR-189, E of Industrial Park Dr W 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 20,117 A-C 43,000 D-F
SR-189, W of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 21,047 A-C 44,000 D-F
SR-189, E of Frank Reed 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 27,173 D-F 52,000 D-F
SR-189, W of I-19 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 30,313 D-F 56,000 D-F
SR-189, E of I-19 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 29,151 D-F 45,000 D-F
SR-189, W of Grand 4Ln Suburban Arterial 23,700 23,066 A-C 37,000 D-F
The I-19 frontage roads function as major, but discontinuous, north-south arterials. The frontage
roads begin just south of Rio Rico and terminate at the Pima County line. The West Frontage
Road north of Rio Rico Rd is the only section of frontage road currently operating at LOS D-F,
while the rest operate at LOS A-C. As shown in Table T3, all but two sections of the West
Frontage Road system within Rio Rico will be operating at LOS A-C in 2030. However, this
assumes that the frontage roads continue to function as relatively high speed suburban arterials.
If the frontage roads are allowed to become more urban in nature (slower speeds with more
signals and access driveways), the LOS C capacity will be reduced and LOS D-F congestion
could be experienced on additional sections of the East and West Frontage roads.
Table T3: I-19 Frontage Road 2030 Traffic & Level of Service
From To/At LOS C
Capacity
E
Frontage
Rd
2030 ADT
2030
LOS
W
Frontage
Rd
2030 ADT
2030
LOS2
Exit 8 Grand Ave Exit 12 SR 289 / Ruby Rd 11,900 8,000 A-C 4,000 A-C
Exit 12 SR 289 / Ruby Rd Exit 17 Rio Rico Rd 11,900 9,000 A-C 8,000 A-C
Exit 17 Rio Rico Rd Exit 22 Peck Canyon Rd 11,900 n/a n/a 16,000 D-F
Exit 22 Peck Canyon Rd Exit 25 Palo Parado Rd 11,900 n/a n/a 12,000 D-F
Exit 25 Palo Parado Rd Exit 29 Tumacacori Rd 11,900 3,000 A-C n/a n/a
Exit 29 Tumacacori Rd Exit 34 Tubac Rd 11,900 4,000 A-C 1,000 A-C
Exit 34 Tubac Rd Exit 40 Chavez Rd 11,900 9,000 A-C 2,000 A-C
Exit 40 Chavez Rd Exit 42 Agua Linda Rd 11,900 100 A-C n/a n/a
Exit 42 Agua Linda Rd Exit 48 Arivaca Rd 11,900 2,000 A-C 1,000 A-C
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Historic traffic data on I-19 between Santa Cruz and Pima Counties is somewhat inconsistent,
but average daily traffic appears to have almost doubled in the past 10 years and tripled in the
past 20 years. Both Santa Cruz and Pima Counties experienced significant growth during those
periods. Similar growth is expected between 2007 and 2030. As discussed earlier, the population
of western Santa Cruz County will increase by 53% by 2030, while the population of Pima
County to the north will increase by more than 40% (from 1 million to 1.4 million).
Traffic projections indicate that local travel (travel beginning and ending within Santa Cruz
County) on I-19 from Rio Rico south will double between 2007 and 2030. Together with the
increase in POE traffic, there is little question that traffic on most of I-19 within Nogales and
Santa Cruz County, and between Santa Cruz and Pima Counties will at least double by 2030.
Table T4 presents the 2030 traffic forecast and resulting level of service for I-19. The forecast
2030 traffic exceeds the level of service C volume from Exit 8 (Grand Ave) to Exit 29
(Tumacacori Rd). Taking into account the exceptionally high percentage of heavy trucks going
to and from the Mariposa POE, I-19 between Exit 4 (Mariposa Rd) and Exit 8 (Grand Ave) most
likely will be operating at LOS D-E as well.
Table T4: 2030 Traffic & Level of Service on I-19
Route BMP From EMP To
LOS C
Capacity
2030
ADT
LO
S
I 19 0 SB 19 (1) - Nogales 1.18 Exit 1 Western Ave 54,000 22,050 A-C
I 19 1.18 Exit 1 Western Ave 2.95 Exit 4 SR 189 / Mariposa Rd 54,000 23,250 A-C
I 19 2.95 Exit 4 SR 189 / Mariposa Rd 5.31 Exit 8 SB 19 (1) 54,000 49,000 A-C
I 19 5.31 Exit 8 SB 19 (1) 7.72 Exit 12 SR 289 / Ruby Rd 54,000 77,200 D-F
I 19 7.72 Exit 12 SR 289 / Ruby Rd 10.88 Exit 17 Rio Rico Rd 54,000 59,400 D-F
I 19 10.88 Exit 17 Rio Rico Rd 13.96 Exit 22 Peck Canyon Rd 54,000 58,200 D-F
I 19 13.96 Exit 22 Peck Canyon Rd 15.63 Exit 25 Palo Parado Rd 54,000 56,800 D-F
I 19 15.63 Exit 25 Palo Parado Rd 18.13 Exit 29 Tumacacori Rd 54,000 54,200 D-F
I 19 18.13 Exit 29 Tumacacori Rd 21.62 Exit 34 Tubac Rd 54,000 48,800 A-C
I 19 21.62 Exit 34 Tubac Rd 24.82 Exit 40 Chavez Rd 54,000 43,600 A-C
I 19 24.82 Exit 40 Chavez Rd 26.54 Exit 42 Agua Linda Rd 54,000 40,800 A-C
I 19 26.54 Exit 42 Agua Linda Rd 29.98 Exit 48 Arivaca Rd 54,000 38,200 A-C
3.5 Multimodal Conditions
3.5.1 Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation
Regardless of the size of a community, it can benefit by increasing the share of non-motorized
transportation among its residents. Walking and bicycling expand mobility for non-drivers,
reduce motor vehicle demands on the street system, do not impact the environment with noise,
air pollution or consumption of valuable oil resources, and provides a venue for healthy exercise.
Currently, the infrastructure to support walking and bicycling in the study area is limited. The
few sidewalks that do exist are mostly found within the City of Nogales, while there are no
designated bikeways in the study area at all. Pathways include two unpaved sections of the Anza
Trail and a paved pathway in the village of Rio Rico.
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Even with the limited infrastructure, there is significant existing demand for these modes, most
notably at the ports of entry at the US/Mexico border and along Grand Avenue in downtown
Nogales. Key issues for non-motorized modes of transportation include:
• Need for walking and bicycling connections to schools.
• Need for new paved shoulders for walking and bicycling and repairs to existing shoulders on
all roadways for safe pedestrian and bicyclist use.
• Need for pedestrian and bicycle access on bridges across I-19.
• Need for pedestrian and bicycle access on I-19 frontage roads including new frontage roads
to provide connection to locations north of the study area.
• Need for pedestrian bridges for safe railroad crossing.
• Need for better pedestrian facilities (sidewalks and crosswalks) in downtown Nogales,
particularly to connect the ports of entry with Mexico to retail establishments along Grand
Avenue.
• Need for pedestrian facilities that connect to the Mariposa Port of Entry west of downtown,
including a possible multi-use path connection to downtown Nogales and adding sidewalks
along Mariposa Road.
• Need for a developed pick-up/drop-off area for pedestrians crossing at Mariposa Port of
Entry
• Need for pedestrian/bicycle facilities in Rio Rico with connections to Tubac and north to
Green Valley.
• Need for effective wayfinding and signage, particularly for tourists and visitors.
Currently, pedestrians and bicyclists in the study area are finding it difficult to make their trips
safely and conveniently, especially across highways and railroads with the lack of marked
pathways and roadway crossings. With today’s pressures to reduce our carbon footprint,
walking and bicycling provide an inexpensive, environmentally-friendly, and healthy alternative.
The following recommendations are suggested to build on existing efforts towards pedestrian-and
bicycle-friendly communities.
• Develop pedestrian and bicycle master plans for the study area.
• Make minor and major improvements as funding and resources become available.
• Develop guidelines and standards to provide for pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
• Piggyback on other development or redevelopment projects, such as street repaving projects,
to improve walking and bicycling networks.
• Include other elements important to pedestrians and bicyclists such as bicycle parking,
education (directed at pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, adults, and children), enforcement,
facility maintenance, wayfinding/signage, and ADA accessibility.
3.5.2 Transit Circulation
Transit is a beneficial element for any community providing access for those who cannot or
choose not to drive. In addition, transit can replace trips currently made by the automobile,
thereby reducing our contribution to roadway congestion, consumption of oil resources, and
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noise and air pollution. Transit, in conjunction with walking and bicycling, extends the range of
trips made by the individual modes. As the population in the study area grows older, transit will
become even more necessary to support mobility for seniors who can no longer drive. Currently
there is no fixed route transit in the study area. On-demand transit for trips to the doctor,
shopping and community events is provided to seniors, the disabled, and clients of provider
organizations; the largest of which is Nogales Rides. The demand for these services is obvious
based on the almost 50 percent increase in ridership that Nogales Rides has experienced in 2009
over the previous year.
The City of Nogales can consider expanding transit to include service to the general public. The
City can apply for funding for a 5311 (rural transit) grant in the next funding cycle to provide
this service. The design of this system is currently being studied (Nogales Transit Study - Draft
12/31/08) and would most likely include a combination of call-and-ride, flexible route, and
fixed-route services.
Although there is interest in transit services along the I-19 corridor to Rio Rico and Tubac, with
possible connections to Tucson, no public agency has stepped forward with an interest in
spearheading this effort. While the population densities along the I-19 corridor are not adequate
to support service at this time, future transit service along the I-19 corridor should be considered.
Considerations for future transit service in the study area include:
• Work trips provide a good basis for transit service with repeat trips to/from fixed locations.
• A system of park-and-ride lots and vanpools can offer a low cost startup for future transit
focused on commuter trips.
• Building on the existing demand-responsive service provided by Nogales Rides is a practical
way to expand service to the general public while refining the fixed-routes based on usage.
• Bus stops and transfer facilities should be accessible, safe and convenient for users as well as
for transit operators.
• Good pedestrian and bicycle connections to transit are important with these modes serving as
an extension of, and access to, the transit routes. Bicycle parking at bus stops or transfer
stations should be provided along with the ability to carry bicycles on board transit.
• Education and promotion are key factors to encouraging potential users to use transit.
4. Existing and Future Condition Findings
Some of the more important findings from the existing and future conditions analysis and
assessment are set forth as follows:
1. SR 189, Mariposa Road, will need to be widened and improved to handle the future
traffic particularly when the new Mariposa port of entry becomes operational.
2. The I-19 frontage roads serve as major north-south arterial roads, but the system is
incomplete. The frontage road system needs to be made continuous from Mariposa Road
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to the north county line, and should be planned and programmed for expansion and
widening when traffic volumes warrant.
3. I-19 will need to be widened to accommodate the future traffic from SR 189, Mariposa
Road (Exit 4), north to at least Tumacacori Road (Exit 29).
4. Grand Avenue through Nogales needs to be improved to more effectively handle traffic
volumes, both under existing and future conditions, within the constrained rights of way
that exist. This can include traffic signalization improvements, continuous sidewalks,
intersection improvements, widening where possible, and provision of alternate routes.
5. Pendleton Drive is the only north-south roadway corridor of any significant length
outside the I-19 corridor area. As such, the Pendleton Drive corridor is vitally important
as an alternative route to I-19 and its frontage road system, and its existing and future
corridor needs to be protected and preserved. Pendleton Drive needs to be extended
north and south with adequate right of way width for at least four lanes. An extension of
Pendleton Drive north to at least Tubac, and possibly to the county line will be critically
important for the future transportation system of Santa Cruz County.
6. The Nogales Wash and Santa Cruz River, along with the UP railroad tracks, present
major safety concerns and barriers to effective traffic circulation in an east-west direction
throughout the county. Additional bridges and railroad overpass structures are needed at
other locations to handle existing and future traffic conditions. Pedestrian crossings of
the railroad tracks are needed in the downtown Nogales area.
7. Alternate non-motorized modes of transportation are needed to enhance the quality of life
for the citizens of Santa Cruz County. Bicycle and pedestrian master plans should be
developed and the identified bicycle and pedestrian transportation facilities should be
constructed concurrently with the future development of all transportation facilities.
8. A public transit system, initially in Nogales and expanded along the I-19 corridor within
the county in the future, is another needed transportation system improvement.
9. The means for funding transportation system improvements need to be developed and
implemented to adequately serve the public and deliver necessary improvements when
warranted. This will become increasingly important to maintain a good quality of life for
the citizenry, and needs to be accomplished without compromising the necessary
maintenance of the system.
10. The future mixed-use growth area between Nogales and Rio Rico is not effectively
served by existing transportation infrastructure. A network of roads and improved
access to I-19 would be needed to encourage and support future growth in this area.
11. The Ruby Road interchange area is extremely congested and of concern to all
stakeholders. The situation should be carefully examined and addressed to find a
workable solution.
12. There is a potential need for improved east-west connectivity across I-19 in Nogales to
support future growth. Connecting western Nogales and the Mariposa Road area to
Grand Avenue and eastern Nogales, including SR 82, would be beneficial to the overall
traffic circulation within the community.
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5. Transportation Improvement Program
5.1 Environmental Justice
The Environmental Justice analysis of the study area showed there is a majority of Hispanic
residents across western Santa Cruz County and within the City of Nogales. In addition, a
significant percentage of the population in western Santa Cruz County and the City of Nogales is
classified as low income. The transportation improvements identified and described herein will
greatly contribute toward improving quality of life. The proposed transportation improvements
will be balanced across populations, thus satisfying the intent of the regulations.
5.2 Implementation Plan
Project stakeholders identified issues at 57 sites located throughout Santa Cruz County. In
addition, travel demand forecasting identified an additional 23 sites that need additional capacity
to serve the forecasted traffic demands at an acceptable level of service. The recommended
solutions cover all modes of transportation, including roadway improvements, safety and
operations enrichment, pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, and new and expanded transit
systems. These projects were identified based on forecasts of future traffic volumes,
determinations of the capacities of existing transportation facilities, analysis of crash data, review
of previous studies and reports, and input from key stakeholders and the public. The
recommended improvements include planning level cost estimates that can be used for budgeting
purposes and capital improvement programming.
The Implementation Plan focuses on the prioritization of the projects. The projects were aligned
into short term (five year), medium term (ten year), and long term (twenty year) project
categories and listed separately for the City of Nogales and for Santa Cruz County due to
separate funding accounts. Options are provided for additional revenue sources, along with an
order of magnitude approximation of how much the revenue source may be on an annualized
basis, for consideration and possible adoption by the Nogales City Council and the Santa Cruz
County Board of Supervisors and implementation by the local jurisdiction public works
department staff. The following sections include all of the identified transportation system
improvement projects in one of four different categories. These categories are listed and
described as follows:
1. Short Term Priority Program (FY2011 through FY2015)
The projects receiving the highest ranking by the local agencies are included in this
category. The number of projects is constrained by an estimated funding level that
includes both current revenue sources and several suggested additional revenue sources.
2. Medium Term Implementation Program (FY2016 through FY2020)
The projects of the next level of magnitude of priority to the local agencies are included
in this category. The number of projects in this listing is also constrained by an estimated
funding level that includes current and suggested additional revenue sources.
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3. Long Term Implementation Program (FY2021 through FY2030)
The projects of the next lower magnitude of priority to the local agencies are included in
this category. The number of projects in this listing is also constrained by an estimated
funding level that includes current and suggested additional revenue sources.
4. Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program
All identified projects that were not included in the short, medium or long term
improvement programs are included in this listing of needed projects that may not be
implementable within this 20 year program due to fiscal constraints.
5.2.1A Short Term Priority Program – Santa Cruz County
Based on the rankings and prioritization by Santa Cruz County in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for short term priority for the five year
capital improvement program – FY2011 through FY2015.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
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Note: Reclassifying this Project #58 to a rural minor collector will make the project eligible to
apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 21
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Project No. 80 is eligible for funding under the Transportation Enhancement Program
and/or the Safe Route to Schools Program.
Note: Projects #78 and #79 are eligible for ADOT MPD PARA Program funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 22
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.1B Short Term Priority Program – City of Nogales
Based on the rankings and prioritization by City of Nogales in coordination with Wilbur Smith
Associates, the following projects are suggested for short term priority for the five year capital
improvement program – FY2011 through FY2015.
Note: Cost for Project #3 was taken from the City’s TIGER Grant Application.
Note: Reclassifying this Project #8 to an urban minor arterial will make the project eligible to
apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 23
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Projects #78 and #79 are eligible for ADOT MPD PARA Program funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 24
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.2A Medium Term Implementation Program – Santa Cruz County
Based on the rankings and prioritization by Santa Cruz County in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for medium term priority for the five year
program from FY2016 through FY2020.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 25
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Reclassifying these Projects #51 & #54 to rural minor collectors will make the projects
eligible to apply for federal funding.
Note: There are no bike/pedestrian projects identified for the medium term program for Santa
Cruz County.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 26
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.2B Medium Term Implementation Program – City of Nogales
Based on the rankings and prioritization by the City of Nogales in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for medium term priority for the five year
program from FY2016 through FY2020.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 27
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Reclassifying these Projects (#38, #61, #44, & #71) to urban collector will make the
projects eligible to apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 28
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 29
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.3A Long Term Implementation Program – Santa Cruz County
Based on the rankings and prioritization by Santa Cruz County in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for long term priority for the ten year
program from FY2021 through FY2030.
Note: Reclassifying this Project #55 to a rural minor collector will make the project eligible to
apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 30
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 31
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.3B Long Term Implementation Program – City of Nogales
Based on the rankings and prioritization by the City of Nogales in coordination with Wilbur
Smith Associates, the following projects are suggested for long term priority for the ten year
program from FY2021 through FY2030.
Note: Project Site #4 was moved from the Roper Road Alignment to the Gold Hill Road
alignment as directed by the City of Nogales.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 32
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Reclassifying these Projects (#64, #62, & #60) to urban collector will make the projects
eligible to apply for federal funding.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 33
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 34
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.4A Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program – Santa Cruz County
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 35
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: Reclassifying this Project #52B to a rural major collector will make the project eligible
to apply for federal funding.
5.2.4B Needed Projects Beyond the 20 Year Program – City of Nogales
Note: Project No. 57 cost estimate in the above table is based on the average cost for minor
and major collector streets (57A & 57B) in the master planned Western Nogales
development.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 36
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
5.2.5 Local Priorities for Federal/State Transportation System Projects
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Note: The maximum transportation enhancement grant for state system project is $943,000; the
balance of the project cost will need to be made up with state matching funds.
6. Suggested New Revenue Approaches
6.1 Additional Sales Tax Revenues
Imposition of a one half cent sales tax dedicated to transportation has been estimated to generate
around $3.4 million annually (2009 dollars) if imposed on all of Santa Cruz County including
the City of Nogales. A one half cent sales tax be could be imposed exclusively within the City of
Nogales through an increase in their sales tax rate. This would generate around $2.4 million
annually (2009 dollars).
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 42
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
6.2 Development Impact Fees
Imposition of a three thousand dollar per dwelling unit ($3,000/du) impact fee dedicated to
transportation has been estimated to generate around $2.2 million annually (2009 dollars) if
imposed on all of Santa Cruz County including the City of Nogales. Such fees are used to offset
the cost of public infrastructure, including transportation improvements.
6.3 Public-Private Partnerships
ADOT recently completed a study entitled “Public-Private Partnership Potential for Arizona-
Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects.” The purpose of the study was to explore the potential
for utilizing public-private partnerships to deliver infrastructure serving the seven ports of entry
along the Arizona-Mexico Border. Based on the work done by the Wilbur Smith Associates
study team, one specific project was identified as having the potential to be at least partially self-funding
as a public-private partnership: the SR 189/Mariposa Road project connecting the
Mariposa POE with I-19 in Nogales, Arizona. The next step would be to conduct a conceptual
level evaluation of the project.
6.4 Districts as a New Revenue Source for Transportation Infrastructure
The city and the county consider using improvement districts and community facilities districts,
as applicable, to provide an additional revenue source (assessments against benefited properties
in the district) and funding means for delivering needed transportation infrastructure. Those who
benefit from the improvement are asked to pay for the improvement. The majority of the
property owners should support the need for the project and be willing to be assessed for the cost
of the improvement. Improvement districts are normally used to address deficiencies in existing
transportation systems. Community facilities districts are typically used to advance
infrastructure for new developments such as many of the identified project needs in the I-19
corridor due to the expected growth in the Santa Cruz county portion of the study area.
6.4.1 Improvement Districts
Improvement Districts are typically established to address deficiencies in the infrastructure in
established areas. Infrastructure deficiencies may include roadway width, drainage, pavement,
or enhancements such as sidewalks, streetlights, utility undergrounding, or installing sanitary
sewers in areas with current septic systems. Improvement Districts are created to provide
specific facilities for specific geographical areas, and use the sale of obligation bonds to fund the
improvements. Districts use a secondary property tax to retire the bonds. Sometimes a
neighborhood area approaches a local government to create such a district to provide needed
improvements. A vote of the property owners of the impacted area is required to authorize a
district. Improvement districts can be used for roadway improvements within cities or in county
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areas. The creation of an improvement district requires the concurrence of 51% of the property
owners, and costs are imposed on properties based on calculated benefits which may include
parcel size, roadway frontage, or some other value. Special assessments are then levied against
the benefited property for the apportioned cost of the improvements.
6.4.2 Community Facilities Districts (CFDs)
The Arizona Community Facilities District Act provides mechanisms for funding of
infrastructure improvements for both municipalities and developers. The law authorizes tax
exempt bonds to be issued and repaid by assessing only the lands directly benefiting by the new
infrastructure. CFD bonds can fund a number of public infrastructure needs including
transportation. Developers prefer this funding approach, since their cost exposure is less than
with conventional financing, and no security needs to be pledged against the bond other than the
projected assessment revenue stream. CFDs allow developers to create separate political
subdivisions distinct from the jurisdiction they are located in for the purpose of issuing tax
exempt bonds to finance public improvements. CFDs are permitted to finance public roadways,
utilities, and public facilities such as police and fire stations, parks, and libraries. The
responsibility to repay the bonds is placed on the end users of the property who retire the bonds
over a twenty-five year period.
Figure 7 - Possible Nogales Improvement Districts & Project Site Locations
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 44
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
Figure 8 – Possible Santa Cruz Community Facilities District & Project Site Locations
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
Executive Summary
ADOT Contract No. T08-49-AQ001 April 30, 2010 Page 45
MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
7. Functional Classification Recommendations
Functional classification is a system of classifying roadways according to the character of service
they are intended to provide. This results in a hierarchy from higher volume roadways of a
regional nature to lower volume roadways of a more local nature. Classifications begin at the
principal arterial level and track downward to minor arterials, major and minor collectors, and
local roadway classifications. The process of classifying roadways in Arizona is led by ADOT
in cooperation with the regional councils of governments; in this case, the SouthEastern Arizona
Council of Governments (SEAGO). All roads that are part of the public roadway network are to
be classified. The roads on the state system are classified by ADOT and the roads on federal
lands are classified by the respective federal agencies. Functional classification is done in
combination with establishing boundaries for urban areas, which result in roadways being
classified as rural or urban facilities. In high growth areas such as Arizona, urban boundaries
warrant periodic review.
For a project to be eligible for federal funding and to be included in the State Transportation
Improvement Plan (STIP), the roadway in question must be functionally classified as a rural
major collector or above or as an urban collector or above. In order for the maximum number of
the improvement projects recommended in this study to be eligible for federal funding, these
projects were reviewed to determine if any of the roadways contained therein could potentially
be reclassified to qualify for federal funding. The following tables show the current and/or
recommended functional classifications for roadway segments included in the recommended
projects section of this study for both the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County. Projects on
the State Highway System are not included as the functional classification of those roads is the
responsibility of ADOT.
Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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Unified Nogales Santa Cruz County Transportation Plan 2010
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MPD #13-09- Purchase Order No. TD0251
8. Implementation Plan Recommendations
1. Accept and approve the transportation plan and adopt the improvement program.
2. Apply for federal funding for eligible short-term projects and apply for any available and
applicable grants to fund eligible short-term projects.
3. As funding becomes available, the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County should pursue
predesign work for short term priority projects.
4. Create new revenue sources including a dedicated ½ cent sales tax for the entire county,
adopt and impose a development impact fee of $3,000 per dwelling unit, and use
improvement districts and community facility districts to help fund needed projects.
5. To maximize the use of potential federal funding, the city and county should work
aggressively with the SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO) to
functionally reclassify roadways as recommended in this report to make them eligible for
federal funding.
6. The pedestrian and bicycle plans for the study area, including both the county and the city,
should be pursued as soon as possible, funded through an ADOT PARA Study grant, so that
the respective pedestrian and bicycle master plans can provide the basis for applications for
funding through the transportation enhancement program and the Safe Routes to School
program leading to as many project designs and construction as possible.
7. When new roadways are planned and designed, it is advisable to incorporate multimodal
facilities for bicycle and pedestrian traffic as appropriate for the facility.
8. Some private developments in the study area appear to have occurred without these
developments contributing to or building adjacent roadway improvements. It is
recommended that all new developments be required to bring contiguous roadways up to
current standards for right of way, number of traffic lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, and other
appurtenant improvements. Both the county and the city should require Traffic Impact
Analyses (TIAs) to be done for all significant new developments. These reports will then
dictate the extent of traffic impacts and suggest improvements to mitigate these impacts.
These measures may include the improvements noted above and also turn lanes, deceleration
lanes, and installation of all manner of traffic control devices. TIA standards from other
public agencies can be obtained and provided for this purpose.
9. The county and the city should continue to work with SEAGO and ADOT to investigate all
options for development of public transportation within the study area, including providing
park and ride facilities, as well as linking the communities to the Tucson metropolitan area
and beyond.